"Creation flavored" thoughts on the lectionary texts
Date: October 9, 2011 (Yeah - a little bit late this week.
Sorry. And apparently not really that much to think about! Maybe you're doing better than I am.)
(note corresponding EarthWords from 3 years ago archived on the website. See if I had any more thoughts last time
arouond!)
Text: Psalm 106.1-6,19-23
Thoughts
God's love endures forever. Does God's Creation endure forever? Does the life-force go on forever?
We've been hearing this week about how the universe is expanding at an increasing rate of speed and "could end up in ice."
Where is God's love then?
"That I may glory with thy heritage." What is the heritage we have received? Fresh air, clean water, fertile
soil,...? What is the heritage we are leaving/providing for others?
The golden calf - an image of a creature in place of the Creator. It's also a dead/lifeless thing instead
of a living, breathing creature "that eats grass". (vs20) Which "substitution" seems more egregious to you? The
Lakota Sioux are "people of the buffalo." Who are they, what would they be if there were no more living, breathing buffalo
"eating grass"? (I'm taking a class on Native American Experience from a Lakota woman!)
Text: Exodus 32.1-14
Thoughts
Moses delayed on the mountain - he was enjoying talking with God? Or he was just overcome by the view?
Gold - as the price of this element of creation has gone up and down over the past year, I haven't seen any reference
to the golden calf. It might be an interesting connection to play with.
"Descendents as the stars of heaven" - we've noted before that that's not necessarily a good thing!
"All this land...I will give to your descendants." Is this metaphor or literal? Can God give the land to
Moses' descendants "along with" everyone else, or does this mean the land belongs to Moses descendants and no one else?
And the Native American question is "How can anyone own the land?" How do you understand the land you are connected
to - do you "own it", "inhabit it", "take care of it", "make use of it"?
"They shall inherit it" - with all that we are doing to it (the land), will anyone really want it when we've finished?
Text: Matthew 22.1-14
Thoughts
The marriage feast - not a vegan affair, the oxen and fat calves are killed and cooked. (I think if I was going
to go for one or the other I'd choose the calves, but maybe oxen would be good slow-roasted and pulled with bbq sauce?)
"One went to his farm..." This is meant to be a bad thing in the story, but sometimes there are things on a farm
that need to be done today!
What makes a good wedding garment - for the bride? for the groom? for the guests? Probably not something
that you wear one day and then hang in the closet for the rest of your life!
Prayer
Dear God,
your love and life last forever.
When/if the universe runs down
will you be sad?
satisfied?
lonely?
Will you find a way to gather everything together
and start another?
Along with the gold, and the fresh air, and the oxen, and the mountains...
we're glad to be part of this one.
One Thing to Do This Week
In Northern Michigan we have been having some of the most glorious weather of the year. Blue skies, colored leaves,
warm temps, clear nights. I've been sleeping out on the deck. Go on a picnic, climb a mountain, enjoy the view.
If the weather is not conducive where you are, spend some time thinking about the heritage your elders provided for you.
How sustainable was it? What about the heritage you are leaving for the next generations? Choose one thing you
want to make sure continues on - a fertile garden spot, a clear stream, an inspiring view. what can you do now to make
sure it happens?
