Stations of Creation

Our Father

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)

Many of the birds who summer or winter here in the gardens and across the country have flown thousands of miles across land and sea from foreign parts, sweeping over borders and boundaries, settling into the sun,  picking fruit from trees particular to a certain climate.

Be alert to their sounds around you – the birdsong and flapping wing, the rustling sounds as they push their way through the leaves of the trees.  “Not one of these will fall to the ground without our Father knowing,” says Jesus.  “You are worth more than many sparrows.”  The dignity given to God’s creation is given to us too, and a hundred times more, although on so many occasions we live in such undignified ways.

God loves us so much that he draws us into a loving relationship so that we too, with Christ, can call God ‘Our Father.’  But we are also part of the human family throughout the world along with people of every land and language, culture, colour and religion.  Living under the same sun, we have a responsibility to one another.  To build bridges not walls, to extend the hand of friendship, to work for peace and reconciliation in the world, to overcome the boundaries and barriers so easily crossed by the birds of the air, to care for the world that we share.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you taught us how to pray, and so with you we dare to call God ‘Father.’

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen.