Theresa Obila OGAR

 

On the first of September, 2025, the Mother Church celebrated the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation for the first time. This, according to the Church, is a liturgical response to the Ecological Crisis in the world. This seems quite personal to me because we are part of the Creation of God on the earth, and are yet to maximize the whole of creation and the beauty as it ought to be. It’s no news that the Earth has been polluted - I mean: the people, environment, plants and animals on the earth have been distorted from their natural flow and existence.

For this reason, it is a good thing that the Church has slated a day like this to pray about the crisis being faced. If the earth that we live in becomes an irredeemable chaos, then God’s beautiful order during creation will further remain distorted, leaving the inhabitants experiencing discomfort and even destruction. If we fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of the creations of the earth, we can easily appreciate and fully nurture them. Not just that, it will make us appreciate the maker of these created things.

Take for instance, if you keep listening to a particular song and you really like it, you’ll begin to have likeness for the creator of the music. That’s how it is when we appreciate the creations of the earth, we begin to appreciate the Creator who’s God; the author of the universe.

This reminds me of a lecturer of art I had a chat with for the vox pop segment of a program I was co-producing. He mentioned that he was agnostic for the most part of his youthful years and just lived with questions. He also said that until he began to appreciate nature, the beauty and immensity of art and the complexities there in, it was then he acknowledged God as Almighty and created a working relationship with Him. His own story even correlates with a part of the first reading at Mass; book of Wisdom 13:5. It says that "When we realize how vast and beautiful the creation is, we are learning about the Creator at the same time.” This then reflects that when we care for and appreciate the creations of God, we get to know more about God the Creator. So, today and always, appreciate the creations of God.

 

Interlude:

Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.

 

What Part Do You Play?

The truth is that in one way or the other, we have been a part of the Ecological Crisis we are experiencing. It’s either we are neck deep into ignoring nature and its relationship with us or we are killing it. For instance, cutting down all the trees without maximization, creating different forms of pollution - air, noise, water, mind, etc. What happened to us having an environment that is free from air pollution? What happened to us having a gutter that is not clogged and filled with dirt? What happened to eating natural food? What happened to us humans being a brother’s keeper for real? These are just few instances that we, on individualistic level have added to the Ecological Crisis we experience in our world today.

Since there is a dedicated day for prayer, it is good to have a rethink on ecology. It would be good that we take reparative actions as individuals towards the Ecological Crisis even as we pray about it.

We all have a part to play here on earth. While you are at it, protect the space - which is the earth to enable you to achieve purpose.

Here are some simple steps we can take to keep our Earth Clean and safe for us to live in:

 

1. Appreciate Nature: The little everyday expression of nature. The orderliness that the creator has put to them. The beauty of nature that touches the soul in a way that’s soothing and inspiring at once. So appreciate the beauty of the sky, the sunlight, the cold, the blooming and withering of flowers and plants. The twinkles of the star, the sound of the birds, the cloudy skies and all things bright and beautiful, for God made them all. Appreciate art, the people, and beauty. Plant trees, have pot or sack plants to give you more oxygen. Enjoy the clean air, the downpour of rain, and the warmth of sunshine. Just enjoy the earth!

 

2. Cultivate a Conservative Culture: The things that we have should be maintained. Little things like not littering the road, not throwing dirt inside a gutter, avoiding unnecessary burning, disposing of your sewages and fresh food separately. For instance, potato or yam peels, remnants of foods, etc can be given to animals that can eat them. In addition, some waste products such as plastic bottles, nylon, rusted metals, spoilt electronics, can be properly kept and converted to wealth– you can sell to scavengers or send them to recycling companies or organizations. That way, you are conserving the environment, animals, and even creating other beautiful items.

 

3. Take Good Care of Your Body: This body that you have is the only creation like yours. It is God's gift to you; it houses your soul and mind while on earth.  So cherish the gift that is your body; that is God’s creation. Eat healthy, drink water; a lot of it! Exercise your body, properly use your medications, embrace natural plants for remedies and preventions. For instance, I found some leaves if made as tea help to reduce menstrual cramps. Look and feel good, move with confidence and have a good walking and sitting posture. Take care of your skin and hair with organics like tomatoes, raw egg, aloe Vera, lemon, rosemary, etc.

 

4. Guard Your Mind: Your mind is also a part of your being. Your mind is where it all happens. It affects your outputs. That’s where your creativity stems from. Your creativity, the expression and usage of your talent and orientation is needed for actualization of self, betterment of people and God’s glory. If you don’t guard your mind where it all happens, the environment of your personality might be shaky. Cleanse your mind and seriously guard it always from evil and wrong and or destructive orientations.

 

5. Feed Your Soul too: Your Soul is the most integral part of your being which is also a part of God’s creation. If your soul isn’t properly cared for, it affects your whole being. How you Feed it is how it grows. Feed it with God’s word, vibrate in the energy of the Almighty God, and never starve your soul of spirituality. Connect yourself with the creator of the earth so that you can also beautifully connect with the earth itself.

 

6. Spread Love: Love heals. With pristine love for humanity, the usage of harmful items or practices greedily, the implementation of wicked policies without considering the negative impact on people would never exist. The spread of hate is also another form of distorting the minds of people and bringing about many broken people in the world. So from your end, spread love in a bid to care for the heart and being of the people around you. Also, be open to receive love.

 

These are steps you can take as an individual to care for the creations of God. Do it whole heartedly as the action to back up your prayers. It is good to note that individual conservation and care for creation can develop into you becoming global. So those things in your care that are God’s creation, take care of them properly.