Second Sunday before Lent 08 02 26
First reading: Genesis 1.1-2.3
Second reading: Romans 8.18-25
GOSPEL: Matthew 6.25-end
The readings for today invite us to open our eyes and our hearts to see all around us at the world we live in. We will realise that we live in a world of wonder, a world so spectacular.
It is quite significant that the first book of the Bible, the book of Genesis initiates us into God’s presence by drawing our attention to the world around us. The writers marvel at the created order and they believe that such wonder cannot be an accident, there is God who is the cause of the created order. They just don’t stop ascribing the marvel of the created order but they go on to say that human beings are created in the image of God and God had breathed life into human beings. They are to enjoy the creation and live and flourish and also be stewards of creation.
The Genesis writers say that everything that God created, God found them to be good. Everything in the created order is good. Good for each component of creation. There is a interdependence on each other and there is a total dependence on creation. The air we breathe is not our making; it is just there and without air life is just not possible. The earth is God’s food basket given to the entire creation. When we begin to think of the created order, we are humbled as we see God in all and every aspect of creation.
In modern times, we hear alarming news, that everything is not OK with the created order. Human activity is stretching the goodness of creation. Climate change due to global warming is already causing serious concerns. We hear of plant and animal species becoming extinct. We hear of the rising of sea levels, changes in climate causing natural disasters.
St. Paul in his time, already spoke of the pain the created order is experiencing, he said the creation is groaning in pain and waiting for redemption. When people affect the fabric of creation, it is the created order which suffer and people suffer along with it.
In the gospel reading, we heard Jesus our Lord asking us to look at the created order and learn from it and be inspired by it. Jesus draws our attention to the birds and the flowers. He challenges us to reevaluate our notion of life. Should life be lived with never ending anxiety and desperation. Anxiety and worry takes away the joy of life.
Jesus assures us that God who cares for creation also cares for us. Therefore seek God’s righteousness and his kingdom and all the needs will be met as well.
In this eucharist, we are going to receive Jesus, the one who created everything and the one for whom everything exists. It is our prayer, re create me that I may live each moment with joy, awe and wonder, with gratitude to God.