Five Wonders of Creation — Five Gifts We Cannot Create

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Care for Creation Sunday or Laudato Si' Sunday*

*Ordinary Season : Twenty Fifth Week:  Sunday*

*Gospel :  Mt 6:24-34*

*First Reading : Wisdom 13:1-9*

*Responsorial Psalm : 19, 2-5*

*Second Reading Colossians 1:15-20*

*Five Wonders of Creation — Five Gifts We Cannot Create*

*1) EARTH – THE WONDER THAT TURNS DECAY INTO LIFE* 🌍

Look at the soil beneath our feet.

We put a dead leaf into the soil, and slowly it disappears. But the story does not end there. What looks like decay becomes nourishment. The soil receives what is dead and helps produce new life.

A seed falls into the earth. It looks insignificant. But from that little seed comes a plant, a flower, a tree and food.

Earth teaches us a great lesson: “What we think is the end can become the beginning of new life.”

But when we cover the earth with plastic, poison it with chemicals and destroy forests, we interfere with this wonderful gift.

We do not own the earth absolutely. We are guests and caretakers.

*2) WATER – THE WONDER THAT CAN GIVE LIFE AND DESTROY LIFE* 💧

Water is strange.

A little water gives life.

Enough water nourishes the earth.

But too much water can cause floods and destruction.

The same water can produce rice in a field and, in another situation, destroy the same field.

Water reminds us that a gift becomes dangerous when we misuse it.

We often turn on the tap and allow water to flow unnecessarily. We forget that somewhere another person may be walking a long distance for drinking water.

Water is not merely something we consume; it is a gift we must conserve.

Every drop carries a question: “Am I using God's gift or wasting God's gift?”

*3) FIRE – THE WONDER THAT CAN CREATE AND DESTROY* 🔥

Fire can cook our food.

Fire can give warmth.

Fire can produce energy.

But the same fire can burn a house, a forest or an entire ecosystem.

Therefore, fire teaches us: “Creation is powerful, but human misuse can turn power into destruction.”

We have discovered enormous ways of using energy. But the question is not simply:

“How much energy can we produce?”

The deeper question is: “How responsibly do we use the energy God has given us?”

A small flame can give light.

A careless flame can destroy a forest.

Creation needs wisdom, not merely power.

*4) AIR – THE WONDER WE RECEIVE WITHOUT PAYING* 🌬️

We pay for many things:

Food — we pay.

Water — we pay.

Electricity — we pay.

Fuel — we pay.

But when was the last time we paid for the air we breathe?

We breathe without thinking.

Inhale — gift.

Exhale — gift.

Inhale — life.

Exhale — life.

We cannot say: “I have enough money; therefore I can live without air.”

Rich and poor, educated and uneducated, powerful and powerless — everyone depends on the same air.

But when air becomes polluted, everyone suffers.

Air teaches us a beautiful lesson: “The most valuable things in life are often the things we receive freely.”

*5) SKY – THE WONDER THAT SURROUNDS OUR LIFE* ☁️

Look at the sky.

We cannot manufacture it.

We cannot purchase it.

We cannot put it in a container.

We cannot create another sky for ourselves.

The sky reminds us that human beings are not the centre of everything.

We are part of something much greater.

The stars, clouds, rain, sunlight and changing seasons remind us that creation has a beauty and order that is beyond our ability to manufacture.

Wisdom 13 says that when people look at the beauty and power of creation, they should move beyond the creation and recognize the Creator.

*6) WISDOM 13: THE CREATION IS NOT GOD, BUT IT POINTS TO GOD*

The author of Wisdom looks at the beauty of nature and asks: How can people see creation and fail to recognize the Creator?

The danger is that we can make two opposite mistakes: Mistake 1: Worship creation instead of the Creator. Mistake 2: Exploit creation as though it belongs entirely to us.

Christian faith teaches something different: 

We admire creation, but we worship the Creator.

We use creation, but we do not abuse it.

We enjoy creation, but we also protect it.

*7) COLOSSIANS 1: CHRIST IS AT THE CENTRE OF CREATION*

St Paul gives us an even deeper vision: “All things have been created through him and for him.”

Christ is not outside creation. Creation has its origin in Christ and its purpose in Christ.

Therefore, when we damage creation, we are not simply damaging “things.” We are failing to respect God's work.

The Christian question is therefore not: “What can I take from nature?” but: “What can I do to protect what God has entrusted to me?”

*8) MATTHEW 6: “LOOK AT THE BIRDS… CONSIDER THE LILIES”*

The Gospel becomes very practical.

Jesus says: “Look at the birds of the air.” And: “Consider the lilies of the field.”

Jesus teaches us to look at creation. Why? Because creation is also a teacher.

The birds teach us trust.

The flowers teach us beauty.

The earth teaches us patience.

Water teaches us generosity.

The seasons teach us change.

But there is another important point.

Jesus does not say: “Destroy the birds.” He says: “Look at the birds.”

He does not say: “Ignore the flowers.” He says: “Consider the lilies.”

Before we can care for creation, we must learn to see creation.

*9) A STRIKING CONCLUSION: “WE CAN CREATE MANY THINGS — BUT NOT CREATION ITSELF”*

Human beings can make: Cars. Buildings. Computers. Artificial intelligence. Satellites. Machines.

But we cannot manufacture:

one handful of living earth,

one drop of living water,

one breath of life,

one natural forest,

one genuine sky.

We can process what God has already created.

We can transform what God has given.

But we cannot create creation from nothing.

That should make us humble.

Therefore: 

Earth is not merely property.

Water is not merely a commodity.

Fire is not merely energy.

Air is not merely atmosphere.

Sky is not merely scenery.

They are gifts of the Creator.

*10) THE FIVE WONDERS AND FIVE QUESTIONS*

Earth - Food and new life - Am I protecting the soil?

Water - Life and nourishment - Am I wasting water?

Fire/Energy - Heat and power - Am I using energy responsibly?

Air - Breath and life - Am I contributing to clean air?

Sky - Light, rain and space for life - Am I respecting the atmosphere and climate?

“WE DID NOT CREATE THE FIVE WONDERS OF NATURE; WE ONLY RECEIVED THEM. THEREFORE, LET US NOT BE OWNERS OF CREATION, BUT RESPONSIBLE STEWARDS OF GOD'S CREATION.”

“We did not create the Earth, but we depend on it. We did not create water, but we cannot live without it. We did not create fire, air or sky, but our life depends on them. Therefore, creation is not our possession; it is God’s gift entrusted to us.”

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*