1. Communing with creation: Listen, Linger, Love 

 “To contemplate creation is to hear a message, to listen to a paradoxical and silent voice”. (LS 85)

Here is a prayer to invite you to contemplate creation. It can be done inside or outside.

Linger: Walk or look around you slowly. Notice if some member of creation attracts your attention, a cloud, a tree, a plant indoors. Allow yourself to linger, to pause at whatever attracts your attention and be present to what is there. Use your senses to take in the wonder of this creature: the colors, shapes, smells, textures. 

Listen:  What might this being be trying to tell you? What might God be saying to you through this element of creation? Consider entering into dialogue with this member of creation, calling to mind St. Francis talking to the birds and calling Brother Sun and Sister Moon. You might ask a question. Then listen. Just be open to what might arise.

Love: When you are ready to leave, find a way to offer love, by saying thanks, offering a prayer to God for this encounter, wishing your new friend well. Find a way to acknowledge the gift you have received and your desire to give something in return. 

If there is time, you might try this process of Linger, Listen, and Love with another element in creation.

2. Communing with creation: A particular place

“The history of our friendship with God is always linked to particular places which take on an intensely personal meaning; we all remember places, and revisiting those memories does us much good.” (LS, 84) 

If you are indoors, you might try a similar meditation as the one above praying with creation through the imagination.

Recall: Enter into a time of prayer and bring to mind a place in nature that is meaningful to you. It can be a place from childhood, a place visited during a special trip, or maybe somewhere you’ve never been, but has significance to you.

Imagine the place as vividly as possible, as if you are there right now. Noticing the colors...the textures...the different shapes…the sounds…the smells. Notice also how you feel in this place. 

Pray: As you imagine yourself in this special place, ask if there is a message God is sharing with you at this time.  Just notice if anything arises.

Give thanks: When you are ready, close by offering a prayer of thanks to God for the gift of creation and whatever message you may have received at this time.