Word to the Wise
Wednesday, February 14, 2007 - Sts. Cyril and Methodius
[Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22 and Mark 8:22-26]Never again will I doom the earth because of man since the desires of man's heart are evil from the start; nor will I ever again strike down all living b eings, as I have done. As long as the earth lasts, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Does the notion of global destruction by the flood in Genesis make us theologically uncomfortable? Does it seem like God is "overdoing" it? I wonder if we shouldn't take a look at our own efforts. Human environmental degradation is accomplishing slowly but surely what the flood in Genesis could have accomplished. In the case of Genesis, it was a matter of God starting over with "better" material. Are we humans going to leave any material around or shall we just consume it until there is nothing left to consume. There won't be any "gopherwood" left to build an ark! Does this sound alarmist? Each month I receive National Geographic with a different story of a species of animal that is disappearing or another chunk of forest reduced to board feet of lumber. Another spill of some toxic convenience plays mayhem with human, animal or plant life. Another piece of natural beauty is pocked with oil derricks. Another patch of sky is obscured with choking smoke. We may smile indulgently at the story of Noah and the Ark and give a nod in the direction of God's initiative at reforming humankind, but can we smile at what WE are doing? In the story in Genesis, God swears never again to destroy the world to correct humanity. Why are we trying to destroy the world? Who are we trying to please or correct? AMEN