The inspired writer of Genesis had no idea of the
magnitude of human history that would follow that stage-setting opening. He didn’t
know that there would be a New Testament. He did not know that the Creator of
the universe he wrote about would enter the human race fully, being born of a
woman (and no less than a virgin!) and then living, loving, dying and rising
from the dead—forever changing life and death on the planet Earth.
There is no way the writer could not have
envisioned the printing press and that thousands of years later, we would have a
book called the Bible. Nor that we would be reading about those four words on a
device called a computer or a “smart phone”.
Thinking along those lines leads me to the reminder
that we don’t—and don’t have to—know everything. In fact, we know very little
of where our actions, our words, our faith will lead. But we should exercise
them anyway, doing our best to listen to God’s promptings, the Spirit’s
whispers. There is a plan. We need to cooperate with it.
“In the beginning, God . . .” Another reminder I received from reflecting on
these words was that the fourth word is “God,” not “humans” or “humankind.”
This is God’s story. It is God’s wisdom, God’s mind. Humans are a key element
to the story, for sure, but we are not the primary actors. We are creatures. We
are receivers of God’s love. But in the beginning, there was only God. And God
moved and acted and created. Just as His Spirit has throughout the Bible,
throughout history, and will forever more.
I find that very comforting. It leads me to want
to know this God, to align with this God. Even more amazing, I find that this
God is knowable and seeks friendship with his creatures. Could there be a more
wonderful reality than that?
We learned
as children that we are all created in the image of God. Do we really believe
it on a day to day basis? Christ reminded His followers also that they were to
be good, were to seek perfection.(Matt 5:48) Do we really take His advice
seriously?
One of the
ways God has sought our friendship is to send Mary, His daughter through her
creation, His spouse by her fiat, and His mother through the Incarnation to
help us find our way to His Son.
Today is the beautiful feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. We are familiar with the many healings that have occurred over the
years at Lourdes. In many places the gospel describes the early healing
ministry of Christ. People scurried around to bring their infirm loved ones to
Him, mostly for physical healing. (Mark 6:53-56) It must have been awesome to watch those
healings take place!
Lent begins Wednesday. It might be a good time for
us to reflect on the recommendations of Christ, that we should seek perfection.
Couldn't we benefit from some healing? It is an ongoing process, one that
requires ongoing vigilance.
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