Lectionary Reading: Genesis 8:1-19, and 9:8-13
We can all remember the wonder we felt as children when we first saw a rainbow. It was a mystery that appeared after the rain. Later it became a game to look for the beauty of the colors forming an arch and stretching across the sky. Our teachers and parents assured us that if we looked hard enough we would find that rainbow and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The rainbow is one of God’s gifts and with it is one of life’s lessons. God gave us the promise that we will never be destroyed by floods. A lesson that we are reminded of often during our life. The bigger lesson that we learn it that God made a promise, a covenant, and he always honors his covenant. (Maybe this is the pot of gold.)
As we read today’s passage in Genesis it is clear that God has given us other gifts. God’s covenant with Noah assures of his desire to preserve the family, the animals, and all other species that work together to preserve the balance of nature. The gifts we see in the rainbow of light, darkness, color and order are all gifts of a compassionate father.
As I watched the Olympians crowned with the wreaths of laurel I was reminded of the dove returning to the ark carrying a laurel (olive) leaf. This leaf was God’s sign to Noah and his family that the flood was over and new growth was taking place on the land. This is a sign of new life and hope. It has also become a sign of peace. Seeing these young men and women compete, share their talents, and celebrate with one another gave hope for the peace we all so deeply desire. As the Olympians returned to their home countries we can only hope that this sign of hope, peace, and new life has gone with them. These are all God’s gifts to us and with these gifts comes the responsibility to keep the covenant of what God has given us.
Prayer: God help us to be an instrument of your peace. Just as you established a covenant with your people when you made that promise so long ago help us to protect the earth, and promote peace as we hold your gifts close to our hearts. Help us to be aware of each gift as it is given to us that we might praise you. Amen
Marilyn Holleron
No comments:
Post a Comment