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Introductory note
from New Jersey Mercy Justice Circle who prepared this novena
Dear Sisters and Associates,
On behalf of the New Jersey Mercy Justice Circle, we created this Earth Day novena as a gift for you. We hope that it will be a heart- and consciousness-raising aid for praising God in all creation. Our hope is that each day's reflection will be a seed of contemplation. Perhaps, at some time during the day, as you wait on line or perform a chore, you will ponder these words and, through this pondering, see and touch God in the world of splendor that is surrounding you at that very moment. What is God saying to you? How should you respond? All thought, all creation, speaks of God's glory and providence.
As we are called to see ourselves and each other as earthen vessels that hold God's presence and bring God's gifts to the world, so too, this very world and all that is above, around and within it are Earthen Vessels - just as easily shattered, just as much in need of our loving attentiveness and support. May our hands align with God's in caressing and shaping these.
Together we proclaim:
We, and all creation are God's earthen vessels.
Help us, O Lord to live and act in harmony and interdependence with all creation.
(from Direction Statement, Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas)
Earth Focus Group New Jersey Mercy Justice Circle
Day One
Let us pray today for: trees, plants, crops, and forests.
"... the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirty fold." Matthew 13: 23
Creator God, we thank you for your gifts of trees, plants, crops and forests. We repent the abuse we have given to these your creations. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.
"O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace." Catherine McAuley
Day Two
Let us pray today for: water, oceans, rivers, streams and ponds.
"Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply will live, and there will be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes, the sea will be made fresh. Everything will live wherever the river flows." Ezekiel 47: 9
Creator God, we thank you for your gifts of water, oceans, rivers, streams and ponds. We repent the abuse we have given to these your creations. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.
"O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace." C. McAuley
Day Three
Let us pray today for: air, wind, climate and weather.
"When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were...And they were all filled with the holy Spirit..." Acts 2: 1-2, 4
Creator God, we thank you for your gifts of air, wind, climate and weather. We repent the abuse we have given to these your creations. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.
"O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace." Catherine McAuley
Day Four
Let us pray today for: sun, clean energy and prevention of global warning.
"O radiant dawn, shine forth in glory! Christ has burst forth from the tomb. Give praise, O peoples of the earth. Death is overcome, God triumphs. Alleluia!" Morning and Evening Prayer of the Sisters of Mercy
Creator God, we thank you for your gift of the sun. We repent the abuse we have given to this your creation. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.
"O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace." Catherine McAuley
Day Five
Let us pray today for: animals, especially endangered species.
"Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea creatures, you wild beasts and all tame animals, you creeping things and you winged fowl. Praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; His majesty is above earth and heaven..." Psalm 148: 7, 10, 13
Creator God, we thank you for your gift of all the varied species of animals. We repent the abuse we have given to these your creations. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.
"O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace." C. McAuley
Day Six
Let us pray today for: humankind.
"I will make you a new heart, breathe new spirit into you. I will remove your heart of stone, give you back a heart of flesh. I will give you my own spirit to lead you in my ways, faithful to what I command." Ezekiel 36: 26-27
Creator God, we thank you for your gift of life. May we always remember our roles as stewards of your creation and sisters and brothers to each other. We repent the sins we have committed against all of your creations. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.
"O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace." Catherine McAuley
Day Seven
Let us pray today for: recycling and moderate personal consumption.
"Jesus said to them, 'There is no reason for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.' ...Taking five loaves and two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied..." Matthew 14: 16, 19-20
Creator God, we thank you for the abundance of resources with which we are blessed. We repent the abuse and overuse of these gifts. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.
"O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace." Catherine McAuley
Day Eight
Let us pray today for: proper use of chemicals and disposal of toxic waste.
"The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven against every impiety and wickedness" Romans 1: 18
Creator God, we thank you for your gift of chemicals which improve our lives. We repent our abuse of them and our improper disposal of toxic waste, which pollutes our earth and your creations. We now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.
"O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace." C. McAuley
Day Nine
Let us pray today for: Earth and unity.
"Let us seek to know the Lord, whose coming is sure as dawn, who descends like the rain, spring rain renewing the earth." Hosea 6: 3
Creator God, we thank you for creating such a wondrous and magnificent home for us. We repent all our sins against creation. We now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.
"O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace." Catherine McAuley
Concluding Prayer
"God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6: 8
Creator God, we thank you for all of creation. We ask your forgiveness where we have failed to be just stewards. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth. May we learn to live in harmony, safety and just sharing of resources among all so that we achieve the kingdom of God.
"We should be as shining lamps, giving light to all around us." Catherine McAuley
Blessing
Peace be to this community. Amen.
Peace be to this land. Amen.
Peace be to this people. Amen.
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