Earth Sunday

Earth Sunday

Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”  Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 
John 20: 27-28

Hallelujah, Christ has risen!!   Joyfully we respond with, Christ has risen indeed!  Hallelujah!!  How do we weave our hallelujahs into the reality of our lives and our world?  Just one week after we sang those joyous words scripture reminds us, through the testing of Thomas’s faith, that it isn’t always apparent.  Thomas needed to see the scars of Jesus to truly believe Jesus had risen – and when he did his Hallelujah arose through his powerful words, “My Lord and my God.” 

Just as Thomas was invited to personally experience and witness Christ’s wounds, this coming Sunday, Earth Sunday, we are invited to touch the wounds of creation.  We are invited by the wounded, risen Jesus to break free from status quo and from fear, and to continue Jesus’ ministry of healing all of creation. 

Jesus says to us “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”  The theme for this year’s Earth Week is  Act, Learn, and Pray for Climate Justice.  

Dedication Prayer:  Acting, Learning, and Praying for Climate Justice
[from For the Love of Creation]

God of Creation,
We are thankful for your awesome work in creation,
    you have weaved all of life together,
    and it is very good.
We are grateful for all that protects and cares for your good works:
    the sunlight and water that sustains life,
    the earth that grounds and nourishes life,
    and the earth-beings that care for and protect life.
God of Creation,
we give thanks for all whose actions care for your good works!
And we ask your blessings on the actions we offer here and on the actions of those across the church and beyond during this Earth Week.  

As we care for your creation,
provide us with the humility and curiosity needed
    to continually learn about the marvels of your works,
and to deepen our understanding of how our actions,
good and bad, affect all of creation.
God of Creation,
we give thanks for the opportunity to learn and grow with your good works!
And we ask your blessing on the intentions we offer here today and on the intentions of those across the church and beyond during this Earth Week.

Although the journey is hard, 
and our hearts might be afraid and filled with doubts,
may we continue to act and learn towards climate justice,
with the confidence and strength of your presence guiding us.
God of Creation,
receive our prayers for the love of your good works.
And we ask, in your love, to answer the prayers we offer today and the prayers of those across the church and beyond acting together during this Earth Week.

May we continue to follow in the way that you are leading with hopeful and daring hearts,
until we have reached your commonwealth of justice and peace for all.
Amen.