For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.        –Romans 8:24-25

Saint Augustine is credited with saying: “Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.”

As we conclude our series about caring for creation, we will examine the cries and sufferings of the Earth and all of God’s creatures. We will explore the need to let holy anger move us toward the courage to be hopeful and active for justice. To serve God and community, by facing the challenges of our troubled world, we must do so with hope.

Hope is a verb that requires action and intentionality on our part. According to seasonofcreation.org, hope can manifest in different ways. Hope is not merely optimism nor is it a utopian illusion or waiting for a magical miracle. Hope is trust that our action makes sense, even if the results of this action are not immediately seen.

Hope doesn’t act alone. Earlier in his letter to the Romans, Paul explains the close relationship of hope as a growth process: ‘endurance produces character, and character produces hope’ (Rom 5:4). Patience and endurance are close associates of hope. These are qualities that lead to hope.

This hope through patience and endurance will enable to us groan with creation as it suffers. We must offer not only care and compassion but solutions and action to help her renew and recover. We have been called by God to as partners in serving creation and we claim accountability for the wrongs we have done and strive to do better moving forward.

On Sunday we share aloud the Green Chalice Covenant as we moved to restore hope for and with creation:

As children of God and followers of Christ Jesus, we covenant to:

Worship God with all creation and pray for the healing of the earth.

Study the climate crisis and engage others in climate solutions.

Repent and forgive for the harm we have inflicted on the earth that sustains life.

Advocate for eco-justice public policies and witness by living sustainable lifestyles.

Rest in God’s good creation and invite others to delight in nature.