How perfect a psalm for this time in our lives, as we begin our recovery from the pain and suffering caused by COVID-19. How perfect a time to begin that recovery, the Feast of Pentecost when we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, giving them the courage to leave their seclusion and go forward to preach and teach the Word of God.

As the pandemic precautions which have limited our access to one another are eased, we can begin to leave our seclusion and cautiously reenter our world. What lessons learned in seclusion will we share, will we continue to hold on to, will we use to shape our “new normal”? For many of us during the PAUSE, we have had precious time with our immediate family, more time to walk in the park, to take a hike, to notice the beauty of God’s creation. We have donated to food banks to help our neighbors harmed by the pandemic. We have joined with Pope Francis in daily prayer for the world. We have driven less and walked more. Nature has benefitted from our PAUSE, as fewer pollutants are released into our air and water.

On this Pentecost, our prayer can be for the Holy Spirit to give us the courage to renew the face of the earth by living the habits of caring for one another and God’s creation that we have nurtured in our seclusion.

Creation Care Team contacts: Jeanne Schrempf or Marie Myer