The A Rocha Worldwide Family works with all Christian denominations and traditions – this month, we were inspired by this prayerful activity, taken from the Catholic Laudato Si’Movement Prayer Book (downloadable for free). This could be a great activity to take up during the Season of Creation. If the Catholic tradition is not your own, we’d encourage you to stay curious, use what is helpful, and ignore what is not.
Here is a prayer to invite you to contemplate creation – these can be done inside or outside.
Linger
Walk or look around you slowly. Notice if some member of creation attracts your attention, a cloud, a tree, a plant indoors. Allow yourself to linger, to pause at whatever attracts your attention and be present to what is there.
Use your senses to take in the wonder of this creature: the colours, shapes, smells, textures.
Listen
What might this being be trying to tell you? What might God be saying to you through this element of creation? Consider entering into dialogue with this member of creation, calling to mind St. Francis talking to the birds and calling Brother Sun and Sister Moon. You might ask a question. Then listen. Just be open to what might arise.
Love
When you are ready to leave, find a way to offer love, by saying thanks, offering a prayer to God for this encounter, wishing your new friend
well. Find a way to acknowledge the gift you have received and your desire to give something in return.
If there is time, you might try this process of linger, listen, and love with another element in creation.
Credit: Laudato Si’ Movement Prayer Book
For further resources and ideas to use during the Season of Creation, see our dedicated page.
