September 15.  ALL CREATURES MATTER. (From BECOMING ECO-FRIENDLY FAMILIES)   Our Lady of Sorrows. Sitting and musing makes you think.  When you think “matter” you’re either thinking something is important or that it is made of something material. In both senses everything that God created matters, from every part of the nearly unlimited universe, to the tadpole that has not yet grown into a frog.  All creatures have a physical nature, as well as a value and a role to play whether we like it or not. We may be disgusted by a cockroach or “parktown prawn” (which is actually a type of king cricket)  but they are part of the cycle of life, as they feed on something and are food for something else. 

Who has discovered biomimicry as a facet of creation that looks for lessons that can be learned from nature? Those big anthills one finds in parts of the country go deep under the ground too and can teach us about air-conditioning in a natural way. Modern-day science is studying and discovering many invisible as well as visible things, large and microscopic. The very air we breathe matters, it is alive with gases, particles and carries all types of messages across the world.

But are creatures only important for their usefulness?  What were we, oldies, taught in our long ago catechism days? “Why did God make me?”  the response was, “to know God, to love him and serve him in this world and to be happy with him in the next.” Does that still apply or not quite in the same way?   My own understanding, which is becoming more eco-friendly over time, comes from experience and, I believe, also follows the thinking of Pope Francis. “Everything is connected. Every creature has value and is to be loved and served. This world is not only for serving God, but for service to God’s creation and also for achieving a taste of the happiness to come.  Isn’t that what marriage as imitating the love relationship of the Trinity is all about?”    On this day the Church commemorates Mary, as the Mother of Sorrows, who shares in the sufferings of her son and of our world as a family of families. .   

Reflect, share, act.  Collect 15 September. O God, who willed that when your Son was lifted high on the cross, his mother should stand close by and share his suffering, grant that your Church, participating with the Virgin Mary in the Passion of Christ, may merit a share in his Resurrection. Scripture: “Lord, do not trouble yourself for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Luke 7:1-10. Pope Francis: The earth’s resources are being plundered because of short-sighted approaches to the economy, commerce and production. The loss of forests and woodlands entails the loss of species which constitute extremely important resources in the future, not only for food, but also curing disease and other uses. Because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence, or convey their message to us.LS6.   Mary, the Mother who cared for Jesus, now cares with maternal affection and pain for this wounded world. Just as her pierced heart mourned the death of Jesus, so now she grieves for the sufferings of the crucified poor and for the creatures of this world laid waste by human power.  LS 241 

Eco-tip and prayer:  Reflect and share together on worth and what really matters to each one? Is “to die for” concerned with chocolate goodies, or for the values that control our lives.  Discuss your attitudes towards the worth of every creature, human and animal, the unborn, abandoned and disabled. Pray to share the compassion of Mary in her suffering on our behalf. DAILY PRAYER.  God of love show us as families how to be channels of Your love for all Your creatures.  Pour out Your Spirit upon us as we pray and work together to tend the garden and foster peace with creation.