“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” – Genesis 1:1, 26-27, 31a; 2:15
“Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” – Psalm 8:1a, 3-4
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” – Job 12:7-10
“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” – Isaiah 11:6-9
“Most High, all-powerful, good Lord, yours are the praises, the glory, and the honor, and all blessing. To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no human is worthy to mention your name. Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures…” – Introduction to the Canticle of the Creatures by St. Francis of Assisi
“Brother Sun and Sister Moon,
I seldom see you, seldom hear your tune,
Preoccupied with selfish misery.
Brother Wind and Sister Air,
Open my eyes to visions pure and fair,
That I may see the glory around me.
I am God’s creature, of him I am part,
I feel his love awakening my heart.
Brother Sun and Sister Moon,
I now do see you, I can hear your tune,
So much in love with all that I survey.”
Song composed by Donovan for Franco Zeffirelli’s Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972)
“If you want your dream to be, build it slow and surely. Small beginnings, greater ends, heartfelt work grows purely.
If you want to live life free, take your time, go slowly. Do few things but do them well, simple joys are holy.
Day by day, stone by stone, build your secret slowly. Day by day, you’ll grow too, you’ll know heaven’s glory.
If you want your dream to be, build it slow and surely. Small beginnings, greater ends, heartfelt work grows purely. If you want to live life free, take your time, go slowly.”
Song composed by Donovan for Franco Zeffirelli’s Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972)