Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Blog question for the week following April 19, 2009
Read Isaiah 42:1-9. Reflect on this statement: "Humans tends to see their physical environment as an object separate from them to be exploited, with science being paradigmatic of this approach. The Christian calling is to recognize that all of creation, living and non-living, human and non-human, is the crucial community upon whose health we depend, and our primary approach to it must be loving nurture."
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I like this passage and find comfort in the words. The word “Justice” jumps out at me since is mentioned at least 3 times. Does this foretell the coming of the servant Jesus, and/or call us to be servants for God?
ReplyDeleteI look forward to listening to the sermon Podcast!
The thing that has been interesting to me in this reading is the broadening of God's justice to envelope the whole earth---everything. Enlightening. Justice isn’t just limited to inter and intra personal dynamics. Justice feels like a part of the Holy Spirit. Here and there and all around like God's love.
ReplyDeleteIt is right that my magnolia tree is blooming now. A giant soft maple fell beside it after the last tornado. The little tree had been a very reluctant plant, maybe too close to the maple. The old mighty tree fell denting our roof, taking out some fence, scaring the dog. But cradled in the bifurcation between the two largest boughs was a three foot tall Mother's Day magnolia.
Today, right at this very moment, that tree is glorious. On Easter it bore little eggs. My granddaughters hunted for Easter treats beneath its branches.
As much as we must be nurturers of this crucial community, we must be appreciative thoughtful admirers of God's bounty. Just breathing it in and rejoicing. God didn't just give us eternal life; he gave us this beautiful earth full of wondrous things.
OK---I feel better. Bad mood to good mood---thank you God and thank you Isaiah and thank you God for Lewis Carroll.
Judy, I am trying to get the sermon online for you to view. I look forward to your comments about justice and the environment.
ReplyDeleteSarah, your words remind me of the reflections of Martin Buber, in I and Thou. He makes an observation about sitting with a tree as a subject, as a Thou, rather than as an "it." I used to chop down trees indiscriminately, and now my experience is different. I comprehend why ancient wisdom dictated apologizing to an animal, and explaining why its death was necessary, before slaying it. How far we have moved from this position, although I have not yet brought myself to become a vegetarian. Blessings. Sam
Sam, I remember a sermon over 10 years ago you did about the admiration of dandelions, but I don't remember the Bible lesson off the top of my head! ?.... probably accepting them as part of God's creation!
ReplyDeleteHappy Earth day!
Wow, Pastor Sam! Never heard of Buber and just did a little reading. The I-Thou vs I-It thinking fits. I especially like the I-Thou as it relates to love. I have been searching all week for this perspective after reading that marvelous column that Fr. Rudy wrote. I kept wanting to suggest (in some imaginary Fr. Rudy conversation) that something giant and important was missing from his (Catholic) defining points of marriage, but I could not put it in words. I tried to describe it to Gary---who I think "got it" but perhaps was not quite as fascinated with Fr. Rudy's column--but I couldn't quite say it. Buber is great.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is fun when the light bulb turns on!
Judy, sorry to be so parochial--check out the Iowa City Press Citizen Monday the 20th. Judy, I think I would like a dandelion sermon, too. Thanks Pastor Sam, as always.