Thursday, November 26, 2015

OUR SEVEN DAY VIGIL: ON THE ROAD TO COP21

Submitted By:  Maureen O'Keefe, rsm


The Sisters of Mercy Newfoundland will prepare for COP21 in a seven-day vigil beginning on November 24 and ending on November 30, the day of the Conference opening.  They will also join in the 12 Days of Mercy prayer.   All are welcome to join them in their seven-day vigil.

© Mercy International Association 2015

The 21st Conference of the Parties, i.e. the annual meeting of all countries which want to take action for the climate, will be held in Le Bourget, France, from 30 November to 11 December. Its goal is to achieve a legally  binding and universal agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C.

Echoing the creation story of Genesis 1, we begin our seven day vigil on the road to the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Each day, beginning on November 30, we are invited to pray and reflect either in community or personally. Each day carries a colour of the rainbow (see covenant reference on day 7) and an image of the day of creation as well as a short text and a prayer followed by a call for action.

Our vigil will end on the first day of the Conference (November 30). On the tenth day of the Conference (December 9), the Prayer for Earth will be led by Canada/Peru on behalf of the Mercy world.

ON THE ROAD TO COP21
November 24, 2015 Day I


In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void  and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. Gen 1:1-3

Prayer:  Let us create a climate of change

Lord, in the joy of your Creation,
The whole human family has received this unique gift from you: our planet Earth.
We sincerely thank you, Lord!
Lord, look on our EARTH and
help us to recognize that it is urgent that we act… for we are destroying our forests, devastating our soil, and polluting our seas.
When we do this, we cause changes to our climate, and create environmental turmoil that increase poverty in the countries of the South.
We sincerely ask for forgiveness, Lord.
Yes, it is time to act…to guide our planet in its development and in its peace. Amen.


MY ACTION FOR CHANGE
OUR ACTION FOR CHANGE

ON THE ROAD TO COP21
November 25, 2015 Day 2


Humankind on the Planet Earth is ordained to live in equity, justice and dignity, peace and harmony in the midst of the order of Creation. Humankind is ordered to treat respectfully Creation, which has a value in itself. We  Catholic Bishops recognize the atmosphere, rainforests, oceans and agricultural land as common good that require our care.
Catholic Bishops’ Statement, Lima On the Road to Paris (2014)

Prayer:

May God bless us with wonder at creation’s glory.
May God bless us with fury at creation’s spoiling.
May God bless us with courage at this critical hour.
And may the blessing of God, Creator, Son and Holy Spirit,
rest upon us and on all creation,
this day and for the future to come. Amen.

MY ACTION FOR CHANGE
OUR ACTION FOR CHANGE


ON THE ROAD TO COP21
November 26, 2015 Day 3

A flourishing humanity on a thriving Earth in an evolving universe all together filled with the glory of God – such is the theological vision and praxis we are being called to in a critical age of Earth’s distress. We need to act as members of the Earth community called to be partners with God in the ongoing creation rather than destruction of the world.   Elizabeth Johnson, csj


Prayer:
Creator of all that was, is now and ever will be.
Look with mercy on our frailties; forgive our carelessness.
We ask for minds to share in Your wisdom, that we might NOW become good and faithful stewards of your beautiful creation.
We ask for hearts to imitate Your love,  that we might NOW take up the cause of justice
for our sisters and brothers who go without.
We ask for spirits to share in Your joy, that we might NOW work with leaders,
organizations and communities to take action to end climate change.
For this, O God, we thank you. Amen.

MY ACTION FOR CHANGE
OUR ACTION FOR CHANGE

ON THE ROAD TO COP21
November 27, 2015 Day 4

The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change. Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our  common home. Laudato Si’, 13

Prayer:
Lord, make us fervent protectors of the world That you have given us:
Where there is waste, let us practice frugality. Where there is greed, let us model sharing.
Where there is exploitation, let us shout out against injustice.
May we be vocal and persistent in demanding action on the part of governments and world leaders.
May we make everyday lifestyle choices wisely, leading by example.
Deepen our understanding of the environment and our love of each other,
that we may preserve your gifts for generations to come. Amen.

MY ACTION FOR CHANGE
OUR ACTION FOR CHANGE

ON THE ROAD TO COP21
November 28, 2015 Day 5

This is a good old house, delightfully situated, fields and garden all around it. Just now it appears like a fine summer day . . . (There are) walls or hedges in every direction. It must be particularly healthy. Catherine McAuley

Prayer:
God of creation, we thank you for all that you have made;
For the joy and glimpses of you we find in nature’s beauty,
Help us to tread lightly and use wisely, Valuing the needs of others, and of creation, above our own desires.
Challenge us where we need to change our lifestyles,
Convict us when we need to speak out on behalf of a voiceless people, or world And soften us where we have stood
in judgement of others.
O God in your mercy, change us and use us For the restoration of your world,
and the protection of all your children. Amen.

MY ACTION FOR CHANGE
OUR ACTION FOR CHANGE


ON THE ROAD TO COP21
November 29, 2015 Day 6

We do not inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children. Inuit Saying

Once we start to think about the kind of world we are leaving to future generations, we look at things differently; we realize that the world is a gift which we have freely received and must share with others. Laudato Si’, 159

Prayer:
Creator God, call us to renewal, to stewardship;
Call us to solidarity to Earth and all its creatures.
Give us new vision to see the fragile beauty that remains to us;
Give us new spiritual energy to become active In loving the world through our daily life;
Give us new voices to speak out for environmental solidarity.
Bless us again with the gift Of being a joyful community;
Bless us with a love of your Creation And we will glimpse your Eden once again.
Amen.

MY ACTION FOR CHANGE
OUR ACTION FOR CHANGE

ON THE ROAD TO COP21
November 30, 2015 Day 7

Human beings must feel that they are sons and daughters of the rainbow, those who translate this divine covenant with all the beings existing and living, with new relationships of kindness, compassion, cosmic solidarity, and deep reverence for the mystery that each one bears and reveals. Only then will there be integral liberation, of the human being and of Earth, and rather than the cry of the poor and the cry of the Earth there will be common celebration of the redeemed and the freed, human beings in our own house, on our good, great, and bountiful Mother Earth. Leonardo Boff

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, call us out of our sleep; awaken our hearts and minds
to our choices and their impacts.
Awaken us to the possibilities of a new way of living.
Awaken us to be renewed with creation. Awaken us to the joy of enabling others to live life to the full.
Holy Spirit, call us out of our sleep. Amen.

MY ACTION FOR CHANGE
OUR ACTION FOR CHANGE


PRAYER FOR OUR EARTH
On behalf of Mercy World December 9, 2015

All-powerful God, 
you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace,
that we may live as brothers and sisters,
harming no one.
O God of the poor, help us to rescue
the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world
and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty,
not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover
the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray,
in our struggle for justice, love and peace.
~ Laudato Si’ 



















No comments: