Word to the Wise
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 - Wednesday in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gen 8:6-13, 20-22 and Mark 8:22-26]"As long as the earth lasts, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." [Genesis]
The story of Noah and the ark is familiar to us all. It constantly inspires art and commentary, lots of it humorous. I love a Peanuts cartoon which shows Lucy and Linus standing at a plate glass window watching a downpour. Lucy says, "Look at it raining cats and dogs! I wonder what would happen if it rained forty days and forty nights?" Linus replies, "That can't happen!" Lucy scowls down at him, "And why not?" Linus replies, "The Lord promised Noah that he would never again destroy the earth by flood, and the rainbow was the sign of the promise!" Lucy looks at him and says, "You have no idea how great a burden you have lifted from my shoulders!" Linus replies, "Sound theology has a way of doing that!"
The author of Genesis has included a story of a disastrous flood that was common to more than one religious culture at the time. It reflects the consequences of the "fall" in Eden and God's determination to save creation, even if it meant destroying all but a remnant. It is also a story of hope because of that determination and resolve to find a better way to save humanity. We humans seem to find ways to create new forms of "floods" such as nuclear weapons and other instruments of mass destruction. I'm counting on God's determination and I hope that is "sound theology!" AMEN