We Await a New Heaven and a New Earth

STEWARDS OF OUR EARTH

All of God’s Creation

Social Justice Committee, Holy Cross Parish, Mt. Airy, November 30, 2025

For this Advent, Catholic Climate Covenant* asked a diverse group of 26 U.S. Catholics, of all ages and from all walks of life, to reflect on Romans 8:19: “For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God…”

The reflections provide an ecological Advent prayer resource to inspire us in our daily prayers as we anticipate the birth of our Creator and Redeemer. The resource is dedicated to all who take action to protect God’s creation and, in so doing, reveal themselves as children of God. (Creation Awaits with Eager Expectation, Catholic Climate Covenant) Below is a sampling of reflections on hope, peace, joy, and love. 

HOPE

“Dear God, we thank you for giving us the opportunity to create positive change in our environment, despite the constant battle of climate change. Thank you for giving us the resources to better appreciate the importance of nature and the beauty of conservation. Let us be guided by your light and wisdom to continue to do what is right by your beautiful Earth, Amen.” (Julia Walsh, Boston Catholic Youth Climate Leadership Team)

PEACE

“In these troubled times, plagued with discord, together with the whole creation, we eagerly await the redeemer that makes all things new; we joyfully expect the only one who can make blossom the fullness of peace among us and all the nations….” (Marco Raposo, Director, Diocesan Peace and Justice Ministry, Diocese of El Paso)

JOY

“The promise of a dear friend’s arrival stirs a quiet joy within the soul. So too, in this sacred season of Grace, our hearts awaken, waiting, trembling, rejoicing for the coming of the Infant King. For where God dwells, joy blooms; it is the infallible sign of His presence….” (Fr. John Abubakar, OSA, PhD, Chief Sustainability Officer & Adjunct Professor of Sustainability at Villanova University)

LOVE”Long before Jesus walked among us, the mystery of God becoming flesh was already unfolding in the heart of creation. The Incarnation began not in Bethlehem, but 13.8 billion years ago, at the dawn of the cosmos, in a seamless and enduring story of divine love written into the fabric of time and space….” (Sr. Ricca Dimalibot, CCVI, Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston)

*Catholic Climate Covenant helps U.S. Catholics respond to the Church’s call to care for creation and those most affected by the climate crisis. Their work is grounded in the Church’s deep history of teaching on creation, ecology, and the most vulnerable. 

Comments on this column may be directed to the Social Justice Committee at socialjustice@holycrossphl.org. Click here for column archive.