1. A reflection on 8th work of Mercy: Care for our Common Home
Instructions:
Invite all present to be quiet and become aware of their surroundings: what do they see, what can they hear, how do they feel.
Leader or other person to read the text from the Gospel of Matthew.
Play some reflective music and slowly click through slides
Invite those present to join in the prayer of Pope Francis from Laudato Si. Prayer is designed to be prayed with two groups / persons taking one stanza each in turn.
New England National Park NSW

3. From the Gospel of Matthew 25:34 – 40
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
From the Gospel of Matthew 25:34 – 40

4. Care for our common home
The native regent honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia) is nationally endangered. The total known population is estimated at between 800 and 2000, and is thought to be limited to patches of Victoria and New South Wales.
8th Work of Mercy –
Care for our common home

18. Invitation to Prayer Side 1
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.

19. Side 2
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as sisters and brothers, harming no one.

20. Side 1
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and
forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.

21. Side 2
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and
destruction.

22. Side 1
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth

23. Side 2
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.

24. All
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace. Amen.