I had an interesting thought this morning while reading the Exodus lesson during Morning Prayer. It centered on the part of the Ten Commandments where God says, "Honor your father and your mother so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you."
For the first time, I saw a possible new meaning to what God is saying here. A much more pagan reading of the line. Instead of "father and mother" meaning your earthly parents, could God not be saying to us to honor "Father Sky and Mother Earth"? It made me wonder. Wouldn't it make sense in this moment at Mt. Sinai for God to reassert that through God all things were made, and that we are to treat all things as gifts and not just plunder and reckless take of the land? Makes sense to me. And as Mrs. Slocumb would say, "I am unanimous in that!"
If nothing else, this thought about Father Sky and Mother Earth gave me pause to reflect on Earth Day, and to give thanks for the air we breathe, the land we share, and the water we drink.
O heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty:
Open our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works;
that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may learn to serve
thee with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all
things were made, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
--Prayer for Joy in God's Creation, Book of Common Prayer, pg. 814
1 comment:
Amen to that Susan and the Glory of looking at the White Mts this past day helped me to be thankful for the glories of the earth and sky.
Peggins
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