September 6. TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME.   WEEK TWO (6 – 12 September 2026)  Theme: “I have made a watchtower for the house of Israel” (Ez 33:7) SACBC

Opening Prayer: The Prayer for Peace on the Jubilee of St Francis of Assisi, PRAYER FOR THE SEASON OF CREATION  during the Jubilee Year of St Francis.  St Francis, our brother, you who 800 years ago, went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace, intercede for us with the Lord.   You who recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation, that breaks down all walls.  You, who unarmed, crossed the lines of war and misunderstanding, give us the courage to build bridges where the world erects borders, in this age marked by conflict and division.   Intercede for us that we may become artisans of peace; unarmed and disarming witnesses to the peace that comes from Christ.

Introduction, All the readings of Sunday, 23rd Ordinary Time A speak of collective human responsibility. This is grounded on our stewardship; unless we know what is right, we will not know what our responsibility is. The result is sin through abuse, killing, indifference and insensitivity towards others and the environment, until we continue to witness climate disasters and human suffering thereof. The core and ground-breaking process of stewardship is to listen and respond to the “voice of the poor” and “cry of the earth”, and to respond in love.

Teaching of the Church. Stewardship is defined as the responsibility to manage God’s gifts – including the earth, personal talents, our material wealth and our appreciation as benefactors. Human beings are not called to be consumers but caretakers of God’s creation. Stewardship calls us to remember God as the source and origin of all creation, on the other side, to recognize the ultimate destination of good. We are free to love and use the gifts, such as earth’s resources, but we are not free to manipulate, abuse and destroy. We are called to act as God’s co-creators, caretakers and watchtowers over all God’s creation.

IMMERSION IN LIVING WATER (see from SOC guide visit Season of Creation) In light of this year’s theme, consider intentionally involving a group and individuals, engaged in social action, such as peace-building, and environmental advocacy. Emphasize the need for collective responsibility caring for our common home.

JUSTICE FOR CREATION: ADVOCACY “There is something cooking in the atmosphere. It is very hot! – Where will we find some cooling shade?” Support a project to combat wasting and polluting water. Advocacy is supporting and standing up for a cause and taking appropriate action. For example clean the nearest stream or river. What can I (we) do this week to advocate for and be a watchtower or steward of God’s creation? Consider how to measure your activities against the Laudato Si Action Platform and the various sectors