Monday, April 28, 2025: Pope Francis prayer from his Hospital. And a reflection on our Oceans by Steve Lyman

(thank you Sandy McKeith for sharing this amazing prayer)


“The walls of hospitals have heard more honest prayers than churches...

They have witnessed far more sincere kisses than those in airports...

It is in hospitals that you see a homophobe being saved by a gay doctor.

A privileged doctor saving the life of a beggar...

In intensive care, you see a Jew taking care of a racist...

A police officer and a prisoner in the same room receiving the same care...

A wealthy patient waiting for a liver transplant, ready to receive the organ from a poor donor...



It is in these moments, when the hospital touches the wounds of people, that different worlds intersect according to a divine design. And in this communion of destinies, we realize that alone, we are nothing.


The absolute truth of people, most of the time, only reveals itself in moments of pain or in the real threat of an irreversible loss.

A hospital is a place where human beings remove their masks and show themselves as they truly are, in their purest essence.


This life will pass quickly, so do not waste it fighting with people.

Do not criticize your body too much.

Do not complain excessively.

Do not lose sleep over bills.

Make sure to hug your loved ones.

Do not worry too much about keeping the house spotless.


Material goods must be earned by each person—do not dedicate yourself to accumulating an inheritance.

You are waiting for too much: Christmas, Friday, next year, when you have money, when love arrives, when everything is perfect...

Listen, perfection does not exist.


A human being cannot attain it because we are simply not made

to be fulfilled here.

Here, we are given an opportunity to learn.


So, make the most of this trial of life—and do it now.

Respect yourself, respect others. 

Walk your own path, and let go of the path others have chosen for you.

Respect: do not comment, do not judge, do not interfere.

Love more, forgive more, embrace more, live more intensely!

And leave the rest in the hands of the Creator.”

—Pope Francis


Did You Know- from Steve Lyman

(about our poor, overworked oceans!)



Oceans: Taken from the book Regeneration.


  • Oceans absorb the greatest impact of human activity on the planet and receive the least coverage.

  • Oceans are the largest carbon sink on Earth. They contain 12x more carbon than land and 45x more carbon than the atmosphere. They have absorbed 93% of increased atmospheric heating and 25% of carbon dioxide emissions. This has resulted in an increase of ocean temperatures and ocean acidification. The ability to act as heat and carbon sinks are reaching their limits.

  • In 2020, a study revealed an area the size of Canada stretching from the California coast was up 7 degrees than the usual.

  • Oceans have become the largest storehouse of pollution. Eighty (80) percent of marine plastic pollution comes from land based sources and the other 20 percent from several Maritime uses.

  • Twelve (12) million tons of plastic waste enter the oceans annually.

  • Two hundred and fifty (250) marine species suffer plastic entanglement including turtles, penguins, whales and dolphins.

  • The “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” a massive clockwise spinning gyre is roughly the size of Alaska.

  • A 2019 study revealed that Coca Cola was the largest plastic polluter for the 2nd year in a row.



Books About Global Warming and Creation Care


Life After Doom, Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart 

Author: Brian D. McLaren


Regeneration, Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation Author: Paul Hawken

***Regeneration is a fabulous resource covering the Oceans, the Forests,

Wilding, Land, People, the City, Food, Energy, Industry, Action and

Connection. Jane Goodall writes the foreword.


Saving Us, A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in A Divided World Author: Katharine Hayhoe


Carbon, The Book of Life Author: Paul Hawken


Braiding Sweetgrass, Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and and the Teaching of Plants Author: Robin Wall Kimmerer


Laudate Deum

Author: Pope Francis





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