Stewardship Chapter 20 Lesson 4

Creation First day: God creates light; separate light from dark. Second day: creates sky; separates waters above from waters below. Third day: separates water and dry land; creates vegetation. Fourth day: creates sun, moon, and stars Fifth day: creates water creatures and birds Sixth day: creates land animals and man.

Turn to page 132 Why did God create? All creation gives glory to God. It reflects his beauty, order, majesty, etc. Creation should remind us of God and lead us to him. However, God also created out of love. He loved so greatly that this love was generous and life-giving. He created man in his image and gave dominion to man over all creation-in this way, creation is a gift to man to be used to unite man with God.

What is stewardship? It is the care of the created world. It is the care of the created world. We must use creation according to God’s plan and, through the wise use of creation, glorify God and tend to the needs of creatures (agriculture, medicine, etc.). We must use creation according to God’s plan and, through the wise use of creation, glorify God and tend to the needs of creatures (agriculture, medicine, etc.).

What are ways man wastes or abuses creation? Pollution Pollution Littering Littering Running water Running water Leave lights on Leave lights on Build houses and destroy habitat Build houses and destroy habitat Kill animals and waste their bodies Kill animals and waste their bodies

Questions for discussion: 1. What responsibility do we have to preserve creation for the good of man and future generations? 2. What would happen if we depleted the world’s supply of fresh water? 3. What if we no longer had fuel for energy? 4. What if we destroyed the habitats of animals and the playgrounds for children? 5. What if we allowed the industry of agriculture to be destroyed? 6. What can we do to be good stewards?

Animals 1. How should we treat animals? 2. Should all animals be domesticated (made into pets)? 3. Is it ever good to kill an animal (hunting, farming)? 4. What about torturing and abusing animals? 5. Should animals have as many rights or more rights than humans?

St. Francis He is an example of the care we should have for all god’s creatures. He is an example of the care we should have for all god’s creatures. Francis loved not only the poor of the world bur all of God’s creatures as well-animals and all of nature. Francis loved not only the poor of the world bur all of God’s creatures as well-animals and all of nature. He saw all of creation as traces and reflections of God. He saw all of creation as traces and reflections of God. His tenderness for and his gentle sway over animals were often noted by his companions. His tenderness for and his gentle sway over animals were often noted by his companions. He spoke of animals and indeed, all creatures, as his “brothers” and “sisters.” He spoke of animals and indeed, all creatures, as his “brothers” and “sisters.” His beautiful “Canticle of the Sun” illustrates his reverence for God’s work. His beautiful “Canticle of the Sun” illustrates his reverence for God’s work.

Canticle of the Sun by Francis of Assisi Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name. Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness. Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful. Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance. Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure. Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong. Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs. Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned. Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them. Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them. Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.