By Jamie Carson
CSS Director of Sustainability
Imagine how watching a sunset creates a peace – a resolve that can be found in witnessing God’s creation.
Here in Nebraska, it’s fabled that summer holds our brightest and boldest sunsets, displaying the elements, shadows, and light bound up to create color in the sky. As summer turns to fall, it’s as if the sunsets dim and colors move to the changing leaves.
On Sept. 1, we entered into the Catholic Church’s “Season of Creation,” a time when we can be reminded of God’s great love for us by stopping to marvel at the world that he created for us.
“They who dwell at the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and sunset shout for joy.” – Psalm 65:8
As the world becomes noisier with distractions, we can look through the lens of our faith and seek love as our guide. This can help us best care for each other and creation – stewarding God’s plan in our lives while also considering how our actions impact others, our environment and natural resources, and creatures in a world ripe with biodiversity.
The Catholic Season of Creation was established by Pope Francis in 2015, not long after issuing his second papal encyclical Laudato Sí, “On Care for Our Common Home.” It began Sept. 1, a dedicated Catholic day of prayer referred to as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and runs through Oct. 4, the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi. This day of prayer and Season of Creation is also recognized across several other Christian faiths, dating back to 1989 when the Orthodox Church first recognized it. It has become an interfaith collaboration to share in the care for our common home and creation.
According to a message from Pope Francis in the establishment of this World Day of Prayer, it is an “opportunity to reaffirm [our] personal vocation to be stewards of creation, to thank God for the wonderful handiwork which he has entrusted to our care, and to implore his help for the protection of creation as well as his pardon for the sins committed against the world in which we live.”
This year’s theme for the Season of Creation is to “hope and act with creation,” and Pope Francis shares in the annual message a call for “us to live according to the Spirit and focus on the sure hope of salvation that is born of faith, namely, the newness of life in Christ.” Pope Francis reminds us that the first fruit of the Holy Spirit is love and that as children of God, we must turn to Him, “this is our great hope,” he says.
At Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS), we seek to care for creation through the lens of our faith. Our core values are dignity of the human person, integrity, empathy, trust, and sustainability. CSS strives to preserve and improve the lives of those we encounter daily and for future generations, and our programs prioritize responsible discernment of our God-given resources while inspiring hope and love for all we serve and encounter. In Spring 2025, we will welcome the community to learn more about sustainability at CSS at an open house event (more information forthcoming). Until then, we invite you to join us in prayer, hope, and action during this Season of Creation 2024. We also welcome volunteers to learn about and assist with our efforts (apply here: csshope.org/volunteer).
When you see the colors of the sunset, please be reminded of God’s love for you.
