FRIDAY AFTER CREATION DAY
6 September 2013
Readings:
Key Verses (using the World English Bible):
Gen. 1:27: “God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.”
Mark 10:9: “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”
Reflection
Finally we reach the climax of the seven days/ages of creation. The earth teems with life on land, in the seas, and the air. Trees and plants sprout fruits and vegetables under the rhythmic cycles of sun and moon. Creatures of all sorts reproduce with God’s blessing, and in the midst of this, God decides to add one more, this time one created in God’s own likeness: humanity.
And what does Jesus see in this marvelous story? An argument against divorce. Go figure! What are today’s readings about?
Well, I’ll tell you what they’re not about: they’re not about homophobia, transgender discrimination, patriarchal laws and customs, the sanctity of marriage, etc. If you read any of these into these passages, oh you’re definitely not alone, but you’re also missing the point. Jesus sidestepped even Deuteronomy’s grounds for divorce to get to the heart of the matter, back to where it all began, back to what God originally wanted.
“It is not good for the man [or the woman, the gay man, the transgendered person, etc.] to be alone. I will make a helper comparable to him” (Gen. 2:18). The point of the story is not that God wants to keep people together in loveless marriages, but that God doesn’t want us to be alone. We are social creatures. And generally most of us have the urge to choose at least one of those to join with. The two become one flesh just as we believe God, the Three-in-One, is a community of divine Persons.
Of course we will fail. We’ll make wrong choices in either choosing a partner, being faithful to a partner, or just returning the love they show us. With some of the heartbreaking stories we’ve all heard, I’m sure Jesus would’ve been a little more lenient regarding divorce and separation.
But I believe Jesus was wise to see an urgent, and even inflexible, connection between partnership and creation. According to Genesis, God gave us rulership over his creation. No, that does not mean we can use and abuse soil and beast as we will. But, as the 1998 film “Armageddon” puts it, we are “a species [with] the technology to prevent its own extinction”, and, by extension, the extinction of others. God loves us, cares for us, provides for us; so too we, who have the privilege to bear God’s likeness, must do likewise for those who cannot do the same for themselves.
And, Lord knows, that’s not a job any one of us can do alone.
Prayer of the Day
Sovereign God,
you have created us to live
in loving community with one another.
Form us for life that is faithful and steadfast,
and teach us to trust like little children,
that we may reflect the image of your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
—from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Proper 27, Year B
Hymn: “Sing praise to God, the highest good”
(Words: “Sei Lob und Ehr dem höchsten Gut”, Johann Jacob Schütz, 1640-1690; translated by Frances Elizabeth Cox, 1812-1897; adapted by Joseph A. Soltero, 2013
Tune: "Sei Lob und Ehr", by Johann Crüger, 1653)
Sing praise to God, the highest good,
The Maker of creation,
Who wonders on the earth bestowed,
The Author of salvation.
With healing balm, our souls are filled.
With loving grace, all cares are stilled.
Give God all praise and glory!
What God’s almighty power has made,
God’s grace is always keeping.
By morning glow or evening shade,
God’s eyes are never sleeping.
Within the realm of God’s delight,
There all is just and all is right.
Give God all praise and glory!
God’s love is near and never shall
Be torn from those distressing.
God answers every person’s call
With health, and peace, and blessing.
His ever-gentle mother’s hand
Will guide us always where we stand.
Give God all praise and glory!
Our thankful hearts now let us raise
And join our many voices,
Let us renew our vows with praise
With song and joyful noises.
When o’er the deep the Spirit stood,
God spoke the Word that all is good.
Give God all praise and glory!
Amen.
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