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September 15.  ALL CREATURES MATTER. (From BECOMING ECO-FRIENDLY FAMILIES)   Our Lady of Sorrows..  When you think “matter” it’s either of something important or 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, a value and a role to play. 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,  they feed on something and are food for something else. 

Biomimicry is a facet of creation that looks for lessons from nature. Those big anthills in parts of the country go deep underground and can teach us about air-conditioning in a natural way. Modern-day science – just think AI – is studying and making many discoveries, 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?  We, oldies, were taught, in our long ago catechism days, “Why did God make me?” “to know God, to love him and serve him in this world and to be happy with him in the next.” How does that still apply?   Becoming more and more eco-friendly over time, comes from lived experience and, I believe, follows 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 for ultimately achieving a taste of the happiness to come in spite of the fact that we humans have maltreated our world so badly.  Does creation really matter to us as it should and do we take responsibility for its suffering?   On this day the Church commemorates Mary, as the Mother of Sorrows, who shares in the sufferings of her Son and our world.  

Reflect, share, act.  Scripture:  At that time the father and mother of Jesus marvelled at what was said about him.   Simeon said to Mary, his mother,  behold this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is spoken against, and a sword will pierce through your own soul also.  2 Luke33-35.  STABAT MATER. At the cross her station keeping, stood the mournful mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last.   Through her heart his sorrow sharing, all his bitter anguish bearing, now at length the sword had passed.  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.LS 6.   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 FAMILY PRAYER from Season of Creation 2026.  May God our Father, who brought water from a rock, sustain us in the desert. May Christ our Lord, who is Living Water, refresh us for the work of restoration.  May the Holy Spirit carry us on currents of grace until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amen. St Francis guide and inspire us on our way.