Season of Creation 2020 – Jubilee for the Earth
What is Jubilee?
Jubilee in Hebrew means “a ram’s horn” - blown to mark the start of a time of universal redemption.
The Biblical year of Jubilee involved release from indebtedness,
when injustices of the past 50 years were to be restored.
It was also a time of rest
for the land.
(from Season of Creation 2020 Guide) seasonfocreation.org)
Jubilee in our day can be a time to renounce overconsumption and economic systems based on constant economic growth at the cost of the Earth and those who are poor.
Image: FamVin
Jubilee is a time when those who have consumed the most must make restitution to those who have suffered the most.
U.S. Americans:
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Are 5% of the world’s population
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Consume 24% of the world’s energy
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Use 20% of the world’s natural resources
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Supply only 10% of the world’s natural resources
The Season of Creation:
September 1 through October 4
Invites the world’s 2.2 billion Christians to pray and care for creation as a global family united in one shared purpose.
It begins September 1st,
Designated by Pope Francis as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation,
And culminates on
October 4th, the Feast of St. Francis
Image: InternetMonk
Jubilee is a time of rest for the land from constant exploitation, to restore ecosystems and people.
Image: Restored Prairie
Image: Restored Prairie
Jubilee is a time for
Letting “prayer and contemplation be the soul of all (we) are and do.”
(Article 8, Rule of the SFO)
Making Amends:
“the transforming power of love and pardon”
(Article 19)
“Striving to purify our hearts from every tendency and yearning for possession and power.”
(Article 11)
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,
and enkindle in them the fire of your love…
Also this Fall:
International Peace Day –
September 22
“Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.”
2020 theme: Shaping Peace Together
Image: XaverianMissionaries
Flagstaff Peace Day
Monday, September 21
Click HERE for more information
Resources:
Link to National & St. Thomas More Regional JPIC Animator info HERE
Acting Franciscan : For the recent blog “Called to Hope and Transformation”, and to sign up for emails HERE
CreationJustice.org – 52 ways to care for creation
Catholic Campaign for Human Development ‘Working to break the cycle of poverty by helping low-income people participate in decisions that affect their lives, families and communities.”
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Office of Justice, Peace & Human Development
Though not a Franciscan source, the American Conservation Coalition may appeal to folks sharing the view “that people, businesses, and the government can work together to solve the nation’s environmental issues without sacrificing our economic prosperity or our rights as Americans.”
Global Catholic Climate Movement: “Hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor”
Catholic Climate Covenant: “Care for creation. Care for the Poor.”
Fair Trade products
…Send forth your spirit, and they shall be created, and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Image: FamVin
We, a fraternity in the Secular Franciscan Order, stand in solidarity with all those crying out for justice in the wrongful deaths of George Floyd and all of our other brothers and sisters who have lost their lives at the hands of those who have abused their power and authority.
We seek to encounter the living and active person of Christ in each and every one of our brothers and sisters (Art. 5, The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order). We are inspired by our patron, Blessed Franz Jägerstätter, who, rooted in his Catholic Faith, unequivocally opposed violence and unjust systems of oppression.
Like St. Francis of Assisi, we humbly pledge to do what is ours to do in order to rebuild this broken community - that it may become one of peace and equality.
