image via pxhere CC0
O God, creator of the world,
of sun and moon and stars,
you chose to fashion us, your own,
your handiwork of love.
Indeed, we are your hands’ own work
and yet it’s into our hands, Lord,
you give and trust the care
of every living thing.
In many more ways than we can count
our work builds up
– or tears apart -what came
as gift from you.
Keep us faithful in preserving
all you’ve given to our care
lest we harm the smallest part
of all you’ve made and shared with us.
Give us good and honest work to do
and rest at each day’s end.
Let a fair and good day’s wage be paid
for a good day’s work well done.
Give us work that nurtures and sustains
those who labor, those they serve.
Let those who toil work in peace,
in freedom, without fear.
Give those in need a job to do
and to the tired well earned rest.
Let all our work and toil, Lord,
give glory to your name.
Amen.
Fr. Austin Fleming, Roman Catholic Priest in Concord, MA
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God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them
reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself,
and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
God created human beings;
he created them godlike,
Reflecting God’s nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”
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