Second Sunday in Lent

To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
PSALM 116:17

On the care of creation, Catholic Young People in Kenya are not just talking the talk; they are walking the walk. They are planting trees by the thousands. Collins Ngoma, a member of the Kenya Online Young Adult Seekers Small Christian Community, reports:

“The youth from St. Martin of Tours Parish in Sultan Hamud in Ngong Diocese, Kenya had a seminar on the importance of caring for Mother Nature. Immediately after the session, we planted trees in the compound. I was amazed when the Pontifical Missionary Childhood Society, the facilitators, and our priest joined the initiative. Next, we went to two of Sultan Hamud Parish’s outstations—St. Antony, Emali, and St. Mary, Masimba—that received their fair share of tree seedlings.”

When it comes to climate change and global warming, the people living in Africa are very vulnerable. Kenya is on the equator. Countries in Eastern Africa are presently alternating between terrible drought and excessive flooding, resulting in mud slides.

Sacrifice is an important theme of the Lenten Season and of the scripture readings this Second Sunday in Lent. Jesus Christ makes the ultimate sacrifice of suffering and dying for humankind. In the Gospel, Jesus tells Peter, James, and John “not to relate what they had seen [in the Transfiguration] to anyone until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” In the first reading, Abraham shows his deep faith in God by being willing to sacrifice his beloved son Issac.

What sacrifices are we willing to make during this Lenten Season?

Sacrifice is essential if we are to truly care for creation and emphasize the importance of ecology and the environment. Are we willing to make sacrifices in our lifestyle and convert to simple living? Are we willing to reduce our carbon footprint by driving gasoline cars less often and flying by planes less frequently? Are we actively engaged in advocacy for moving away from fossil fuels?

World leaders have recently returned from COP28, the UN Climate Change Summit in Dubai in December, 2023. Pope Francis said to the participants: “Let us choose life. Let us choose the future. May we be attentive to the cry of the earth, may we hear the plea of the poor.”

As a takeaway, read Laudate Deum, Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter on humanity’s obligations to the environment issued in October, 2023 and act on it – both individually and in a communal way (in a synodal way).

And lastly, consider the proverb popular in Kenya: “You must treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It is loaned to you by your children.” Then teach a child the importance of the care of creation. ■ by Fr. Joseph Healey, M.M.

Questions for Reflection

• What sacrifice do you feel called to make this Lenten season to better care for creation?
• What is one way you can teach children the importance of care for creation?

Prayer

Martyr’s Prayer

Heavenly Father, praise be to you who have given life to all peoples through the passion of your Son and the power of your Holy Spirit. Through your miraculous providence, our ancestors themselves discovered the faith and in persecution and many trials courageously witnessed to the Truth and brightened this land with the light of salvation.

O Lord, we thank you for your great graces, and we pray that this land may be renewed with the flame of the Holy Spirit. We pray that following the example of our martyred saints, we may live deeply in the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection and become one in faith and love. Joyfully proclaiming the Gospel, we beseech you that the grace of salvation may spring up and enlighten even the darkness of the north.

O Lord, help us offer our whole being to bring the Truth to this age, and with fraternal love and the evangelical spirit of poverty, to become a church in solidarity with the poor and powerless. Grant also that our martyrs bring your light to all people. Finally, make present the kingdom of the Father to the whole world. We make this prayer in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen.

- Fr. Gerald Hammond, MM

Fast

Fast from overconsumption. Refrain from shopping one day a week. Use the money and time saved to pray, read, pursue a hobby, build relationships, or support your community.

Action

Read Laudate Deum, Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, from Orbis Books: https://mogc.info/LD

Buy coffee beans, chocolate, produce, and more from a fairtrade certified company. Farming is the single largest employer in the world. Fairtrade supports a fair deal for the farmers and workers who grow our food. https://www.fairtradeamerica.org/

Quote

Unfortunately, when we hear the word “glory” we immediately think of the movie star who has just won an Oscar, the scientist who was awarded the Nobel prize, or, of course, the billionaire relaxing in his private jet. Or perhaps winners of the World Series ring. But that glory dims like the rays of the setting sun. Jesus was speaking of something else when he said: “give glory to your son so that your son my glorify you.” Actually, the word “glorify” simply means to make known. Jesus wants to make the Father known. By the simplicity of his life, by the generous sharing of his meager means, by his lived commitment to his community. - Fr. Joseph Heim Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers

This reflection was published as part of our 2024 Lent Reflection Guide. The guide is also available in Spanish.

Photo of Kenyan youths from St. Martin of Tours planting trees in event described in the reflection courtesy of author and enlarged in Photoshop. Image of cover of Maryknoll Father Joe Heim’s book, What They Taught Us, published by Orbis Books.