The Season of Creation is important to us Catholics, in dialogue with other Christians, as this time invites humanity to renew its relationship with the Creator and with creation, through celebration and commitment to care for our common home together.
“Listen to the Voice of Creation” is Pope Francis’ invitation to all Christians for this year’s Season of Creation (from 1st September to 4th October), with the symbol being the burning bush from the story of Moses. Today’s reality is that not only is the Earth crying out for help due to the ongoing climate emergency and biodiversity crisis, but so are the people who live in it, especially the poor who are victims of decisions which lead to environmental destruction, and our younger generations who feel threatened by the future because of the insensitive and unsustainable decisions that are being taken right now.
The Pope’s message applies to every world citizen, including us Maltese. Our commitment to listen to the voice of creation can begin by paying attention to our lifestyles and the small details of our daily life, changing our patterns of consumption and production, and our destructive systems.
Creation is massive but it is also delicate. Thus, “living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience” (Laudato si’, 217).