Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous. Praise befits the upright.
Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.
For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
In June of 2019 I attended a Catholic Conference at Creighton University themed Our Common Home. Attendees would agree heartily with our psalmist today, to joyfully exult and give thanks to the Lord, singing his praises for his kindness in filling the world. We were invited to take a St. Francis pledge at this conference to care for the earth as one of God’s beloved creations, acknowledging his bounty as a gift, and our earth’s carefully balanced ecosystems, a design of God’s heart.
We shared stories of how close we felt to God when in nature and that the beauty of nature nourishes our spirits and connects our souls with a sense of peace and the heart of our Creator.
You may know the story of St. Ignatius’ spiritual experience in nature sitting on the banks of the river Cardoner, which he called the most significant of his life.
Do you have a special memory of feeling close to God in nature? Can you recall it and draw inspiration from it?
—Erin Maiorca is the Executive Director at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, IL. Erin’s other vocations include wife to Tom and mother to two wonderful sons.
Wonderous creator, you fashioned the heavens, land, and seas.
Your bounty overflows, the magnificence of nature beyond description.
Help me to see your splendor in all people and all things.
Give me the grace to praise, protect and reverence the beautiful design of your heart, creation.
Amen.
—Erin Maiorca
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