Weekly Franciscan reflections
Start every week here, with a Franciscan reflection on what the Gospel, St. Francis, and biblical stories offer to us that we can bring forward into our daily life.
Reflection for week of 29th June, 2025
Passing things on to future generations
In his Canticle of the Creatures, St. Francis of Assisi praised God for all different parts of creation. He saw the earth as a mother, and he saw all living creatures as brothers and sisters. When he was confronted by a vicious wolf in the town of Gubbio, he tamed it simply by calling and treating it “brother wolf.”
In the first creation story in the Book of Genesis, God tells our first parents to “be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, and the birds of the air, and all the wild creatures.” This is God’s first call to stewardship. He allows us to use the blessings He has given, not to destroy them. There is a harmony and a purpose in creation that needs to be respected.
Throughout history, humankind has sometimes abused our dominion over creation. We have, in the name of progress, destroyed resources. This happens when we mistake dominion for control or ownership.
The Psalms say, “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” We are merely stewards of things which we are called to use wisely and to care for so that future generations may inherit a healthy, beautiful earth and have dominion over it.
Progress is a wonderful thing. It has helped to make life more convenient for us, created great technology that puts the world at our fingertips, and expanded our knowledge of the universe. But progress must be balanced with care for God’s creation. It can be a tricky balance for sure, but if we keep future generations in mind, it is achievable.
This week, let us consider the ways in which our use of resources can serve future generations.
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