Wednesday, October 28, 2009

a halloween reminder: we sow what we reap

PumpkinsWith the real origins and facts about halloween (or all hallow's eve) lost in all the commercialism (horror movie marathons, costumes, candies for sale, trick or treating, name it), I take this day as an opportunity to remind myself of a subject akin to harvest parties -- we sow what we reap. The onslaught of typhoons, most notably Ondoy and the floods that came with it, is a reminder to us how true this expression is, cliche-ish as it may seem.  Let's not point fingers but instead introspect if we've been remiss in our duties to be good stewards of the earth. It's a good time to share this Oratio Imperata, perchance we amend our ways and avert another harvest of disaster.

Almighty Father, we raise our hearts to You in gratitude for the wonders of creation of which we are part, for Your Providence in sustaining our needs, and for Your Wisdom that guides the course of the universe. 

We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of creation. We have not been good stewards of Nature. We have confused Your command to subdue the Earth.  The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoing, and now we reap the harvest of our abuse and indifference. Global warming is upon us, typhoons, floods, volcanic eruptions, and other natural calamities occur in increasing numbers and intensity.

We turn to You, our loving Father, and beg forgiveness for our sins. We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard earned possessions be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made. We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into responsible stewards of Your creation, and generous neighbors to those in need. Amen.

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