“Come let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.” (Liturgy of the Hours). Recall a time when you may have prayed the Liturgy of the Hours outside and felt embraced by God and his awesome creation. Try taking time out from your busy schedule and go outdoors to, again, prayerfully put yourself in God’s presence. Contemplate not only the beauty and wonder of nature that surrounds you, but reflect on our responsibility as God’s stewards to renew the face of the earth. For example, consider the trees that have been needed as natural resources to sustain our needs and lifestyle. And let us face the potential reality (sin) that our efforts (or lack of) may have been inadequate to replace those trees that we have used/abused. Also, ponder the many benefits of living trees such as:

• source of beauty, tranquility and inspiration
• shelter and food for wildlife
• shade and wind protection for our homes that reduce energy use
• absorb carbon dioxide to mitigate global warming

Therefore, in a spirit of atonement and joy consider planting or caring for a tree in your yard or neighborhood (consider the needs of others). And in the spirit of international solidarity and environmental justice, consider a living gift of a tree (e.g. via a donation to an international environmental organization) to help restore endangered tropical rain forests.

Extension: Form or join a group to collect native tree seeds needed by local environmental organizations for erosion control, forest habitat restoration or urban beautification programs. Get your family involved and also meet new friends to share your enthusiasm for caring for God’s creation. Also, consider keeping some of the seeds to raise at home and donate your seedlings.