26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” (NRSV)
To whom were you speaking when you created humans? Who did you consult, an unborn Adam or, other gods just stopping by to see how you were doing?
I’m asking for a friend ‘cause I think you need new consultants.
Today, I went into the woods cool shadows covered me soft breezes kissed me my footsteps muffled by last year’s leaves I breathe deeply scents of leaf, violet, and damp earth surround me robin, finch, and woodpecker serenade me rabbit, doe, and fox walk beside me. I walked in the woods today creation sang her glory life in all her splendor surrounded me The Creator held me in her arms
Long ago this was a great house of worship Men came from far and wide To hear powerful leaders speak of God
. . . Today, Today
Today I am old and only my bones remain The grass, the flowers, the trees worship here now Fox, and mice, and birds all congregate
. . . Now, Now
Now sermons are the gentle whispers of wind and rain Mice lead with tiny voiced prayers Wrens lead a choir of sparrows and finches
. . . Prayer, Prayer’s
No more the loud prayers for men’s pride Now there is a gentle offering of gratitude and The Creator’s voice, the world’s hope, and the prayer for another day
In the last weeks God’s creation has seemed anything but good. Terrorist attacks, ambushing of police, and police shootings of unarmed young men continue to rent the very fabric of our society. Yet God did not create an evil world, in fact God proclaims this world a good world where everyone, and I mean everyone, has what they need to live and be the person they are meant to be. It is our choice’s, not God’s, that have created a world that is unsafe.
Spending time in silent contemplation with a focus on what we could have been, and still could be, seemed the only way for me to center myself and see the world as good. So today I offer as our prayer of the week another Visio Divina using the above painting of the Garden of Eden by Jan Brueghel.
Prayer Practice:
1. Study the picture slowly, taking a first glance noting the colors, the placement of the plants, animals and, people. Remain with the image for one to two minutes. If you would like, jot down a few words about the image.
Take a second, deeper, look. Where is there movement? What relationships do you see? Engage your imagination. Where are you in the artwork? What do you see from that perspective? What deeper meaning emerges? What feelings about the world rise in you? Are there any images that you are particularly drawn too?
Respond to the image with prayer for the world. Did the image remind you of an experience, person or issue for which you’d like to offer thanksgiving or intercession? Offer that prayer to God.
Find your quiet center. Breathe deeply. Relax your shoulders, arms and legs. Rest in this quiet. Let God pray in you. God prays beyond words.
Please do not let your belief, or non-belief, in the Garden of Eden and the subsequent fall from grace prevent you from seeing the good things in creation. Our world is in need of prayer right now. All of our people, all of creation is crying and in pain. Let your prayers go out into the world and let them lead you to be the person God has always wanted you to be.
A Quiet Walk 