--- title: Scripture’s Call to Care for Creation description: Lisa M. Hendey shares an excerpt from a reflection published in the 'Living the Word Catholic Women's Bible,' new from Ave Maria Press. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/CM%20LTW%20Bible%20blog.jpg --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/scriptures-call-to-care-for-creation#) [FAITH](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/faith) # Scripture’s Call to Care for Creation Jan 8, 2023 8:30:00 AM  |  by [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/CM%20LTW%20Bible%20blog.jpg) *Lisa M. Hendey shares an excerpt from a reflection published in the* Living the Word Catholic Women's Bible, *new from Ave Maria Press.* --- While modern attention to climate change and ecological trends is at an all-time high, our calling as Christians to care for God’s creation made manifest in the world around us unfolds in the earliest pages of sacred scripture.  In the Creation narrative, God’s love is made visible not only in the heavens and the earth but also in his creation of man. We read of his pleasure in all his works: > And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:31)   After having blessed the seventh day and given it to us as a restful Sabbath, God placed the man, whom he had formed in his image and likeness, in the garden of Eden to “till it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). He created for the man a suitable partner, a woman equally created in God’s image, to share in that common mission.  The Bible is replete with passages that call us as people of faith not only to revere the world around us but also to recognize in it the inherent compassion of our Creator for us and the beings around us. The psalmist’s many proclamations remind us of the created world’s majesty (see Psalm 19:1). Specific prescriptions in the books of Numbers (35:33) and Leviticus (25:1–7) point to our duty to shepherd the earth and other living beings. Jeremiah’s prophecy ...  > And I brought you into a plentiful land > to enjoy its fruits and good things. > But when you came in you defiled my land, > and made my heritage an abomination. (Jeremiah 2:8, RSV/CE) ... not only addresses God’s displeasure with the Israelites but also serves as a potent reminder that we, as beneficiaries of God’s benevolence in the form of creation, are called to be compassionate and careful stewards. In his teachings, Jesus himself employs imagery of God’s most humble craftsmanship, the birds of the air and the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:25–34), to remind us of his Father’s care.   ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20230108%20LHendey%20LWCWB%20F.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=20230108%20LHendey%20LWCWB%20F.png)   The Bible invites us with many beautiful verses to not only praise God for his providential power made manifest in his creation but also tend to one another through responsible care for this earth and all of God’s gifts. In *Caritas in Veritate* (Charity in Truth), Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote: > Our duties towards the environment are linked to our duties towards the human person, considered in himself and in relation to others. It would be wrong to uphold one set of duties while trampling on the other. (par. 51) Today, as we observe the physical world around us, let’s take time to pray with gratitude for the gift of Creation and commit to small acts to embrace and protect our world and one another.   ![Living the Word Bible](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Living%20the%20Word%20Bible.jpg?width=1877&height=2815&name=Living%20the%20Word%20Bible.jpg)   > [Click to tweet: > Our calling as Christians to care for God’s creation made manifest in the world around us unfolds in the earliest pages of sacred scripture. #catholicmom](https://ctt.ac/nA1c2) What makes the new [*Living the Word Catholic Women's Bible*](https://www.avemariapress.com/products/living-the-word-catholic-womens-bible) different from other Bibles for women? It includes almost 400 pages of special features created for women by women—more than 40 scholars, teachers, religious, authors, ministers, and speakers—such as Leah Darrow, Sarah Christmyer, Johnnette Benkovic Williams, and Sr. Maria Kim-Ngân Bùi, FSP—who come from a variety of backgrounds and reflect the diversity of the Catholic faith. Nine of these writers have a connection to Catholic Mom and have been sharing their gifts with our readers for quite some time. The stunning beauty of the hardcover [*Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible*](https://www.avemariapress.com/products/living-the-word-catholic-womens-bible) also makes it stand out among its peers. The extraordinary and elegant design enhances the reading experience by connecting various features throughout the text including 50 profiles of women in the Bible, 97 Living in the Light of Faith essays, and questions for reflection and journaling. Purchase your copy of the [*Living the Word Catholic Women's Bible*](https://www.avemariapress.com/products/living-the-word-catholic-womens-bible) at a special price: only $59.95 with FREE shipping when you use coupon code CMBIBLE23 at checkout at [AveMariaPress.com](https://www.avemariapress.com/products/living-the-word-catholic-womens-bible). This code is good through March 31, 2023.   ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CM-com-Book-Club-LTW-Bible-FB-IG-_PROMO%20Updated.jpg?width=1200&height=1200&name=CM-com-Book-Club-LTW-Bible-FB-IG-_PROMO%20Updated.jpg)   To learn more about the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible, visit [AveMariaPress.com/living-the-word](https://www.avemariapress.com/living-the-word). You can also join the Living the Word Bible community on Instagram [@livingthewordbible](https://www.instagram.com/livingthewordbible/) and listen to the new Living the Word Bible Podcast with host Sarah Christmyer wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. Sarah Christmyer, editor of the *Living the Word Catholic Women's Bible,* appeared on a recent episode of the Catholic Momcast.  [![Listen to the podcast interview with Sarah Christmyer](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/c48cd950-b28f-4d67-b180-c805a29342fc.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/c48cd950-b28f-4d67-b180-c805a29342fc) --- Copyright 2023 Lisa M. Hendey Images: Ave Maria Press This excerpt from the *Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible* is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.* * ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fscriptures-call-to-care-for-creation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fscriptures-call-to-care-for-creation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fscriptures-call-to-care-for-creation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Scripture%E2%80%99s%20Call%20to%20Care%20for%20Creation) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fscriptures-call-to-care-for-creation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fscriptures-call-to-care-for-creation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Lisa%20M%20Hendey%202024.png) ### [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) Lisa M. Hendey is the founder of CatholicMom.com, a bestselling author and an international speaker. A frequent radio and television guest, Hendey travels internationally giving workshops on faith, family, and communications. Visit Lisa at [LisaHendey.com](http://lisahendey.com), on her Substack at [LisaHendey.Substack.com](http://lisahendey.substack.com/), or on social media @LisaHendey for information on her speaking schedule or to invite her to visit your group, parish, school or organization. [Find Lisa’s books on her Amazon author page](https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-M-Hendey/e/B002ZM9FH0). [**](http://facebook.com/lisamhendey) [**](http://twitter.com/lisahendey) ## Related Blog Articles [ Praying the Scriptural Rosary Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/praying-the-scriptural-rosary) [ Mary, Our Model of Feminine Sensitivity Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/mary-our-model-of-feminine-sensitivity) [ Rest in your Thoughts Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/rest-in-your-thoughts) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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