Reflect
In the indigenous Lakota tradition, the Mitakuye Oyasin prayer offers thanks for “all my relations”: our deep interconnectedness to other people, animals, and all of the living world. In our Christian faith, St. Francis of prayed in a similar way with his praise of Brother Sun and Sister Moon. If we follow these holy examples, our prayer can become both broader and deeper.
Pray
Lord of All Creation,
I give you praise
for all that is so
fearfully and wonderfully made.
Help me love all my relations
and walk humbly through this
wondrous world
until my dust returns to its dust,
part of the great cycle of life.
Act
Every day offers us countless opportunities to live into the truth that Pope Francis taught: everything is interconnected. When you eat a meal, take a moment to give thanks for “all the relations” that brought the food to your table. When you purchase something, consider everything that went into its production.
