Back to the Garden

Our chapel service now meets in person, outdoors in the covered area outside the cafeteria. We meet every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. A transcript of the reflection will continue to be available to you here, in case you cannot attend. Feel free to email your prayer requests to jshawker@connallymmc.org - Birdie

Last week was Earth Day. Since we are now meeting outdoors, it seemed appropriate to reflect on creation in our chapel service today.

Just about every faith tradition you can think of has a creation story. There are entire books dedicated to the topic of creation myths, comparing them, and studying them.

And why not? Who would spend time in nature and not be struck in awe of its beauty and by the One who created it?

I have found something interesting in my recent study of creation stories. The most stories the care and keeping of this beautiful planet is often entrusted to its human inhabitants.

The Hopi people tell a story of a Spider Woman who mixes her saliva with dirt to create living things. Her only instruction to the people she creates is to respect all creation.

In the Hebrew scriptures, Genesis 1:26, we read, “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

The pandemic demonstrated in rather powerful ways how humans have changed the earth. Cities normally covered in smog, experienced clear skies. This because people sheltered in place leaving little traffic on the roads.

Science tells us we will need to adjust to climate change. We should prepare for uncharacteristic weather events. Such as the unusual cold and below freezing temperatures much of Texas was unprepared for back in February of this year.

While I do not want to minimize the thoughts and work of any scientist, ever, I wonder if we can do more than simply prepare for climate change.

Another theme in creation stories is that of human beings being offspring of the Divine.

Kabbalah, or Jewish mysticism, teaches that Light has always existed and had a need to share, so it created a Vessel who also desired to share; the Vessel created all life as we know it. The story goes something like this:

“Light was the only thing in existence. There was no time, space, or matter. Light’s whole purpose was to share, but there was nothing to give to. The only solution was to create something to give to, so Light created the Vessel. The Vessel’s whole purpose was only to receive Light’s gifts. The exchange was perfection; there was no time or space, so Light could continually give, and the Vessel was able to continually receive. However, Vessel had inherited the giving trait from its creator Light.

The Vessel decided to start sharing its own gifts. Light agreed to step aside and allow the Vessel to fulfill its wish to be a giver. The Vessel, teeming with the abundance of gifts given by Light exploded into trillions and trillions of parts. All of these parts became matter, space, and time. The cosmos, the animals and plants, and the entire universe was of the Vessel’s effect. The Vessel had not only received from Light, he was able to give back to Light in the form of other beings to give to.”

It is said in scripture we are wonderfully and fearfully made. Not fearful in a way that is scary, fearful meaning awe-inspiring.

I hear a lot of people talk about getting back to normal after the pandemic. What if we could do better than back to normal?

I am certain we can, especially if the Universal themes of creation stories are true. As offspring of the Divine we inherit so many amazing qualities. Qualities that can support us in making things better than normal. Especially if we take time in reflection. I am sure we can co-create a world that works for everybody.

It is said in scripture we initially existed in a garden-like paradise. It is up to us to contemplate that. And do better in caring for ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and our world community.

In doing so, we may discover, as Joni Mitchell wrote, that we are star dust, we are golden, billion-year-old carbon. That we can, and I am assured will, get ourselves back to the garden.

I thank you for reading, and may the God of your understanding bless you today and always.