MANILA (SE): “What we received as a gift, we must give as a gift. Here, the missionary dimension of our Season of Creation comes in,” Jose Cardinal Advincula of Manila said on September 1, during the opening Mass for the Season of Creation at the Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Intramuros, said a report from CBCP News.
Cardinal Advincula said that being grateful for gifts is not enough. “Jesus teaches us that gifts must not be monopolised only by the few. Gifts must flow. Gifts must be shared. Gifts must benefit all,” he said.
He stressed that when people do not recognise the gifts that they have received, “we fail to be responsible stewards” and that when this happens, people will never share God’s gifts with others.
“We may even use the gifts to take advantage of others,” the cardinal said.
‘…let us embark on this Season of Creation with gratitude for the gifts we received and with the firm resolve to share and be responsible stewards of God’s gifts’
The Season of Creation spans 34 days of prayerful observance, which began on September 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology.
“Let us join Pope Francis in his prayer intention for this month of September that we all make courageous choices for a simple and environmentally sustainable lifestyle,” the cardinal exhorted.
“And with the inspiration of St. Francis of Assisi, let us embark on this Season of Creation with gratitude for the gifts we received and with the firm resolve to share and be responsible stewards of God’s gifts,” he added.
CBCP News said that in the Philippines, the celebration extends until the second Sunday of October, the Indigenous People’s Sunday.
