Earth Sunday
This reading starts with the reminder that “in the beginning, God created” which is how Genesis 1 also starts. This reading ends at verse 14 which has been interpreted in a variety of ways. These include – The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (NIV); The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (KJV). However the original word used for making his dwelling or home among us is better interpreted as “tabernacled within us”. As we go into the Season of Creation for this year – the idea that God tabernacles within us has to be considered again. God who created the entire world lives within us. The theme for Seasons of Creation this year is “to hope and act with creation”. The God of creation within us. What does it mean to us when we realise that God is within us? Does that mean when we have an appreciation of the achievements of God when he created the world and everything in it? Does that mean that we have some appreciation for the world around us – which is all God’s creation? Does that mean that we hear and find ways of looking after God’s creation? I would hope that the idea of God within us, tabernacling with us means all these things.
Shirley Bowers
Lay Preacher