At Keng Tung Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Stephen A No, the parish priest, called on the faithful to cherish, praise, and actively protect God’s wonderful creation, drawing connections to the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical Laudato Si’.

Preaching during the Holy Mass on September 6, 2026, Fr. Stephen A No reminded the congregation that since 2015, September 1 has been globally designated as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation—a day to give profound thanks to God for the gift of our universe. He centered his reflection on two essential truths: the majesty of divine creation found in the Book of Wisdom, and God’s immense love in creating the world and humanity.

Science Cannot Catch Up to Divine Majesty

Fr. Stephen A No emphasized that the earth, the sea, and everything within them are wonderfully created. He noted that human ability and scientific talent, no matter how advanced, can never truly catch up to or replicate the genius of God’s handiwork.

Drawing from the day’s scripture readings, he highlighted Psalm 19, which proclaims that the heavens tell the glory of God and display His wonderful creation. He also pointed to the Gospel, where Jesus speaks of the birds flying in the heavens and the blooming flowers of the field. Fr. Stephen observed that if God loves these simple things so deeply, we must realize how much more He loves us—His most beautiful creatures, especially human beings.

Silencing Worldly Voices to Hear God

Addressing the practical challenges of modern life, Fr. Stephen asked the congregation to reflect on how to protect our common home. He pointed out the “various loud voices” echoing around our world, compounds, and communities.

As a concrete step, he urged parishioners to silence their mobile phones when coming to church. By keeping hearts away from worldly distractions and maintaining inner silence, he said, the faithful can truly listen to the Word of God and hear Him speak. He invited everyone to look back at the very beginning of creation, which emerged from absolute silence, and to practice this stillness in daily life.

He challenged the faithful to look inward and ask: “Why did God create us? Why were so many human beings created, and why me?”—exhorting everyone to find the answer by living according to God’s purpose.

Turning Swords into Plowshares

Drawing on the Pope’s designated theme for Creation Day, Fr. Stephen quoted Isaiah 2:4: “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

“What is the use of swords except to kill a man? What is the use of spears except to hurt others?” Fr. Stephen asked. He reminded the faithful that whatever is harmful to life must be transformed into tools that save lives, protect the poor and vulnerable, and feed the hungry.

Five Core Actions for the Faithful

Concluding his homily, Fr. Stephen left the congregation with five main pillars to practice in their daily lives:

1. Protect and Restore: Despite the ongoing destruction of our surroundings, we are never too late to protect the earth and make it green again. He proposed a practical rule: plant three trees whenever we cut one down.

2. Combat Greed and Environmental Damage: God hears the cry of the earth. Our world is crying due to human greed, excessive chemical use, and heavy deforestation that drives global warming. Because of this damage, ordinary people can no longer grow organic vegetables as the earth originally provided.

3. Pray for Peace and Healing: Ongoing conflicts leave no safe places for human beings, no land to plant food, and water poisoned and tainted. Peace is essential to heal the land.

4. Raise Continuous Praise: Look closely at our immediate surroundings, realize how beautiful they are, and let our hearts rise in continuous praise to God for this beautiful world and all His creations.

5. Value Every Created Being: Echoing the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, Fr. Stephen reminded the faithful: “It is necessary to love, cherish, and value created beings. Since they are also created by God, we must value them.”

He closed with a call to praise God for all living beings, keep serving, keep protecting His creation, and continue God’s work for a better world.

By RVA Akha Service