Our pagan ancestors were so overwhelmed by the power and beauty of nature that they thought of the sun and moon, mountains and rivers as divine.

Colmcille and the early Irish Christians were no less in awe of the glory of nature but they knew that everything they saw in creation was a manifestation of the goodness and love of the Creator God.

Today we can allow ourselves to delight in the goodness of the creation we see around us. We acknowledge that it is a gift and also that we have a duty to respect it and care for it as good stewards.

Readings:

1. The LORD’s is the earth and its fullness, the world, and those who dwell in it.
It is he who set it on the seas; on the rivers he made it firm.
Who shall climb the mountain of the LORD? Who shall stand in his holy place?
The clean of hands and pure of heart, whose soul is not set on vain things,
who has not sworn deceitful words. Psalm 24

Leis an Tiarna an talamh agus a lánmhaire, an domhan ar fad agus a maireann ann.
Is é féin a bhunaigh ar an aigéan é agus a dhaingnigh ar an bhfarraige íochtarach é.
Cé a rachaidh suas cnoc an Tiarna? Cé a bheidh ina sheasamh ina ionad naofa?
An té a bhfuil lámh gan smál agus croí glan aige: an té ar beag air nithe gan tairbhe
agus nach dtugann mionn éithigh dá chomharsa.
Beidh beannacht an Tiarna ar an té sin agus luach saothair ó Dhia, a shlánaitheoir.
Salm 24

2. “God has written a precious book, “whose letters are the multitude of created things present in the universe” …. No creature is excluded from this manifestation of God: “From panoramic vistas to the tiniest living form, nature is a constant source of wonder and awe. It is also a continuing revelation of the divine” …. “To sense each creature singing the hymn of its existence is to live joyfully in God’s love and hope”.

3. Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
who is the day and through whom you give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour;
and bears a likeness of you, Most High.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather
through whom you give sustenance to your creatures.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Water,
who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom you light the night,
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong” St Francis of Assisi