The Environment - What Scripture Tells Us
Concern for the environment comes from faith, and our foundation for faith is the bible. Here are
some texts to reflect on.
Genesis 1:31
God saw everything that he had made and indeed, it was very good.
Psalm 104:24-25, 30
In wisdom you have made them all, the earth is full of your creatures. Yonder is the sea, great
and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great... When you
send forth your Spirit, they are created and you renew the face of the earth.
Isaiah 5:8
Ah, you who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is room for no one but you,
and you are left to live alone in the midst of the land!
Leviticus 25:23-24
The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine; with me you are but aliens and
tenants. Throughout the land that you hold you shall provide for the redemption of the land.
Deuteronomy 20:19
If you besiege a town for a long time, making war against it in order to take it, you must not
destroy its trees by wielding an axe against them. Although you may take food from them, you
must not cut them down.
Exodus 23:10-11
For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield; but the seventh year you shall let it
rest and lie fallow, so that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the wild animals
may eat. You shall do the same with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard.
Job 12:7-10
But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air and they will tell you; ask the
plants of the earth and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who
among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In His hand is the life of
every living things, and the breath of every human being.
Ezekiel 34:18
Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, but you must tread down with your feet the
rest of your pasture? When you drink of clear water, must you foul the rest with your feet?
Matt 6:26
Look at the birds of the air, they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your
heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Be on your guard against all
kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions… Life is more
than food, and the body more than clothing... For where your treasure is, there will your heart be
also.
Romans 8:19
The Creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God.
Psalm 19:1
The heavens are telling of the glory of God.
Opening Prayer: Canticle of the Sun - St. Francis of Assisi
Most High, omnipotent, good Lord,
All praise, glory, honor, and blessing are yours.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong,
And no man is worthy to pronounce your name.
Be praised, my Lord, with all your creatures,
Especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who brings the day, and you give light to us through him.
How handsome he is, how radiant, with great splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon and the Stars.
In heaven you have formed them, bright, and precious, and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Wind,
And for Air, for Cloud, and Clear, and all weather,
By which you give your creatures nourishment.
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Water,
She is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire,
By whom you light up the night.
How handsome he is, how happy, how powerful and strong!
Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister, Mother Earth.
Who nourishes and governs us,
And produces various fruits with many-colored flowers and herbs.
Praise and bless the Lord,
And give thanks and serve him with great humility.
Prayer for the Environmental Common Good
As we breathe the very air which sustains us,
We remember your love, God, which gives us life.
Fill us with your compassion for Creation.
Empty us of apathy, selfishness, and fear
Of all pessimism and hesitation.
Breathe into us solidarity with all who suffer now
And the future generations who will
Suffer because of our environmental irresponsibility.
Move us into action to save our earth
And to build your sustainable Kingdom. Amen.