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Peace like a river runs through the cityFriday, April 9, 2010
John 21:10-12
"Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast."
Jesus seemed to live in a way not thought possible by the men and women around him. He lived as a second Adam, one who had not accepted the invitation of the serpent. He didn't think to question God; he and God were as one being. He loved the fish as God's creation and somehow communicated his responsibility to them. And the fish didn't run from him. Instead, they came. The fish were not afraid. Jesus didn't use them except in the way they had been created to be used, and so they didn't fight to be free. All that weight, all those fish, and yet "the net was not torn." Paul says, "All creation is waiting with eager longing for the sons of God to be revealed." I guess the fish knew what the fishermen didn't quite know yet - that this revelation had come. Many groups of people, notably Native Americans, show great reverence for the animals and plants around them. The earth is precious and sacred, and they take their responsibility for it very seriously. They recognize reciprocal relationship with all other created beings and things. It is good to live that way. Good for me and good for the tree and good for the bird and the bear and the fish of the sea. Watch over me. Hold your hand before me in protection. Stand guard for me, speak in defense of me. As I speak for you, speak for me. May it be beautiful before me. May it be beautiful behind me. May it be beautiful below me. May it be beautiful above me. May it be beautiful all around me. I am restored in beauty. I am restored in beauty. I am restored in beauty. I am restored in beauty. --- A Navajo Prayer |
Various translations of Genesis 1:28 call men to subdue the earth and rule ... govern the earth and reign ... be master and have dominion. All of these ways of life include vast responsibility. Rulers are always responsible for the ruled.