Genesis 1:1-19 (NRSV)
God creates
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
And God said, "Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
And God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it." And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.
And God said, "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth." And it was so. God made the two great lights -- the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night -- and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
And God said, "Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
And God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it." And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.
And God said, "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth." And it was so. God made the two great lights -- the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night -- and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.
Reflection
What is the beginning? From God's point of view, what is the beginning? This passage proceeds to tell of the beginning of the creation. That's one beginning, how many other beginnings may God have had also? I think sometimes there are new beginnings happening all of the time. As Jesus comes to us, like he came as a gardener to Mary or empty linen to a disciple, there may have been new beginnings for each person at the resurrection. Is the beginning at my baptism? New life is created. Or perhaps the beginning is in the morning when my feet hit the floor and I think about my baptism? What is the beginning?
Creation is began through the Word of God, God commanded and action took place. As we recall the Word made flesh in Jesus, I think of creation and life. Through Jesus we have new life. Through Jesus we are a new creation. God commands and action takes place, even in you and I. Through the Spirit we are called, empowered and sent. Action takes place because of what God does in and through us.
Daylight alternated with night. We go through cycles of living. God has provided contrast in living. It's not always daytime or night. But through both, God is with us. God created both the day and the night.
The earth was covered from the heavens by a blanket of atmosphere and protection. Just as God covered us with the waters of our baptism, he has covered us with Love. Jesus life, ministry, suffering, death and resurrection has covered our lives in God's creation. Covered and protected us into eternity.
The waters below needed to be bound by land but the waters above moved as with the wind. Through the waters of our baptism the Spirit moves freely to lead and guide us along our days and nights as we live in the creation God has made and as we live our new life as new creation in Jesus gift of grace for us. We are bound to this earth in flesh yet at the same time free in the Spirit of God to live with the heavenly beings.
Seed was sown by God and green growth begins. As Jesus was the first seed in the tomb, we too are seeds of Christ that grow out of Jesus' death to a new creation and a new life.
Stars and planets were created as light in the darkness and to indicate seasons. Abraham paused to look at the stars of the skies and God told him how faith would produce as many stars in the sky. When we live our life as new creations in Jesus our joy overwhelms us and Jesus' light shines brightly in and through us to display God's love to all those we meet. This Light of Jesus intrigues and invites our friends and family to come and see what has happened to us as a new creation. Faith grows in us and begins in other's all through this contrast of light and darkness. God's Word of new life spreads and multiplies. Creation continues and the Kingdom of God continues to grow... Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Jesus, as my mind wanders and wonders at your resurrection; open my eyes to the depths of your glory and move your love in me to those you give to me this day. --- Amen
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