LAST SUNDAY, as part of my training as a Methodist minister, I shared this brief reflection on the Season of Creation, which runs from 1st September to 4th October, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the environment.
This image is the symbol of this year’s Season of Creation theme, inspired by the vision of Isaiah 32:14-18. It’s called ‘Garden of Peace’.
The tree is barren on one side, its roots in dry soil, surrounded by desolation. The other side of the tree is lush and green, in a flourishing landscape. Above it flies a dove, carrying an olive branch, moving from destruction to life.
This symbol takes us back to our Creation story from the book of Genesis chapter 2, where humanity’s first call was to tend a garden.
It also recalls the story of Noah (Genesis 8:6-12), where the dove with an olive branch signified new life after destruction.
And it connects us with Isaiah’s vision (32:14-18), where peace and justice transform the wilderness into a fruitful field.
In Isaiah’s prophecy, the prophet portrays a desolate Creation, devoid of peace due to injustice and the broken relationship between God and humanity. In Scripture, the Hebrew word shalom doesn’t just mean peace, it means means wholeness – restored relationships with God, with one another, and all Creation. As Isaiah’s vision shows, where there is injustice, the land itself suffers.
But when justice is rooted in our lives, Isaiah says, ‘The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.’ (Isaiah 32:17).
Today we see both sides of this tree in our world.
We see barren lands and displaced peoples, Creation groaning under exploitation and climate change.
Yet we also see signs of renewal: forests being restored, communities working for sustainability, young people leading climate action, people of faith and goodwill working in solidarity for justice.
Pope Francis wrote in Laudato Si’, his letter on care for our common home,
‘What need does the Earth have of us? Leaving an inhabitable planet to future generations is up to us.’ – Laudato Si’ 160.
This year marks the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, in which diverse Christians across the world continue to affirm our faith in God as Creator, Christ as Redeemer, and the Spirit as Life-Giver.
This Season of Creation reminds us to join God’s work of creating, redeeming and life-giving renewal, and become peacemakers with Creation.
So as we reflect on this theme together, I invite you to consider:
- What does ‘peace with Creation’ mean to you?
- Have you experienced moments in nature that felt like peace or reconciliation with God?
- Where do we see brokenness or injustice in Creation today – locally or globally?
- What simple action could we take as individuals or as a community to nurture peace with Creation?
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