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I Wonder
Scripture Readings: Genesis 1:1-5, John
1:1-5
"Let there be light," God says in the Genesis creation
story, "and there was light." Light radiating throughout the universe at 186,000
miles per second. We know now that everything else in the universe has a
variable speed relative to our own motion. But not light. Whether we are moving
toward it, or away from it, the speed of light is the same. Here in a world of
relativity, is an amazing constant. And, Genesis says, "God saw that the light
was good."
We know from the Big Bang theory that before there was light, there was a
bursting forth of space and time. First gravity "appeared," then the strong
nuclear force, followed by the weak nuclear and electromagnetic forces. As these
forces define what is "natural," we may rightly describe what "preceded" the
appearance of these forces as "supernatural." If not a miracle, the origin of
the universe is an astounding event. And from it everything that we know has
come into being. From a tiny beginning to a colossal cosmos.
And more wonders… Atoms, which make up all matter, are mostly empty space, and
even the neutrons and protons in the nuclei of atoms are mostly empty space
containing a few quarks and other elementary particles. Gravity, which holds us
on the earth and solar systems and galaxies together, is easily measurable but
hardly understood.
Life all around us is also amazing. Butterflies outmaneuver airplanes and
helicopters. Random genetic change is rapid enough for species to adapt to
changing environments but slow enough to enable species to evolve. A mocking
bird sits in the tree outside my bedroom window and sings a string of different
songs, while a humpback whale in the Pacific calls for a mate with long
complicated melodies. Birds fly thousands of miles and, even if blown far off
course, arrive safely at their summer and winter feeding grounds.
How wonderful it is that we are here and can appreciate what we call nature!
Yet, we are not only observers of the natural world, but part of it. And that
makes us, possibly, the most wondrous creation of the cosmos. We have come from
the Big Bang, but we now create our own world. Even more wonderful than the
songs of birds and whales is the music of our various cultures, and all of us
delight in the astonishing variety and power of the art and literature of our
species.
Christian faith is part of this outpouring of the human spirit in myth, art,
music, personal piety, and social justice. In Christ we celebrate the mystery of
the universe, in which we have known a love beyond our making. The gospel of
John begins by retelling the creation story in terms of the Word that was with
God and, in becoming flesh, was manifested in a life that "was the light of all
people." The gospel proclaims that this "light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness did not overcome it." We are all part of this light, this life, this
love.
Yet, we may take for granted the wonders of creation and so miss opportunities
to be more loving and creative. Instead of being the living body of Christ in
the world, the church may simply defend its doctrines. I think this is the
perception of most of my children. They experience Christian teaching and
worship as ignoring the wonder of creation, and as judging them for not having
the right beliefs about God.
I must admit that I also find the dominant Christian message in America to be
lacking the spirit of wonder. I believe the heart of Christian living is being
wonderful to one another, rather than demanding allegiance to certain beliefs.
Enjoying the wondrous nature of the universe, and also continuing to wonder
about our cosmic home is part of what it means to be faithful.
Through their study of science three of my children find the universe and our
natural world endlessly fascinating. I love to hear them talk about their work,
and I am stirred by their commitment to search for greater truth in medicine and
in the natural sciences.
When my children were young I read them stories from the Bible, in the hope that
these mysterious and archaic tales would take root in their souls. Grown up, my
children do not read the Bible for inspiration. Yet, I know they have not
forgotten these stories. My children have chosen to seek greater knowledge so
they might heal and help others.
In the gospel of Thomas, verse 29, Jesus says: "If the flesh came into being
because of spirit, that is a wonder, but if spirit came into being because of
the body, that is a wonder of wonders." I don’t pretend to know the meaning of
this text, but I’m delighted to embrace life either as a wonder or a wonder of
wonders! Certainly, we are flesh and spirit, and that living truth is wondrous."
22 June 2003
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