I think evolution and ecology are deeply spiritual ideas.

They paint a picture of life, all life, as being intimately connected: evolution – connection through time, and ecology – connection through space.

All life is related (evolution). All life is in community (ecology).

In his Canticle of the Sun, St. Francis of Assisi, in the spirit of Psalm 148, exhorts creation to praise their Creator: brother sun, sister moon, brother wind, sister water, brother fire, and sister mother earth. In some of the stories about him, we hear that he makes peace with a wolf terrorizing a village and preaches the gospel to a flock of birds.

Our brother in Christ, Francis, understood that all life was related, siblings coming from the same Creator. He grasped that all life was in community, praising God together, in need of and able to make peace, to hear the good news.

As the Season of Creation comes to an end, try out this Franciscan spiritual practice or posture. Go out, greet and recognize your fellow creatures as family. Make peace with them. Bring good news to them. Join your voices with theirs in praise of our Creator.

With brother goldfish…
And sister bee…
And brother moss…
And sister cedar…
And brother dog…
And sister mushroom…
Pray with your family, saying:
Thanks be to God!


CG+