Cosmology

GROUNDED – WHAT I AM READING 2

“Cosmology is the science of the origin, structure, and fate of the universe, an academic discipline of physics, astronomy, mathematics , and philosophy that seeks to explain, well everything. Cosmology looks beyond the immense sky toward the distant deeps of space, wondering about where we are from, why we are here, what mysteries are revealed in the stars. 1p06 Grounded Diane Butler Bass

Sometimes there are events that catch one’s breath. Yesterday, Feb 18, 2021 watching the Space rover, Perseverance, land on the planet Mars was one of those times. Seriously! How can we do this? I mean that it lands soft because they put out the largest parachute was amazing. The partial team that was in the control room, (had to limit number of folk because of pandemic), jumping up and down and fist bumping and so filled with glee that many were just jumping up and down like a high school student who on a big exam day gets a snow day, was exhilarating just watching. That there are brains like these folk we saw and so many beside them that can put together this as a possibility is inspiring.

So there are times like this that make us ask cosmological questions. The big questions that free float out there and that we sometimes engage as grow up and older. Are the cosmological questions left to the young and the old? The young who say they don’t want to grow up because now seems so good and growing up is such a mystery. The old want to slow time because there are questions and experiences that are recognized now as un-answerable in the time that is given them, also looking into mystery of what’s next.

We also see and are oft frustrated by the petty and inane issues that keep us from living in a more Kin-dom (a word that calls out the relationship of God’s kingdom without hierarchically elevation one person over another, rather brings people into relationship with one another and God.) How if we can land a Rover on Mars to gather data can we not solve the issues of hunger, of inequality in medical services, and in imbalance in educational opportunity? Seems like we could if we had the willpower and desire to bring remedy to the inequality of opportunity for all folks. Doesn’t it?

So then, what is our role in this? We are given brains. We are called to use them. (Austin College Activators, God gave us brains and expects us to use them.). Yet we would rather focus on escape. We would rather spend more time running from the bigger questions and our role in their solution than in sitting and talking and thinking about the big ones. And we teach one another to do that too. “Don’t talk about politics or religion it’s too controversial.”

Ok, so maybe it is not that there are controversies, it is rather that we haven’t really learned how to talk to others. I love it when my grandchildren, ages 5 and 3 are arguing about an issue between them and my daughter turns to them and says, “You are going to have to work this out between you.:” She will step back and listens to them attempting to work it out. For the most part, they do. When there are, however, and they can’t get to resolution. she will mediate. This works because both she and Sean use this approach.

Friends in this present Lenten time let us all find ways to work on the big questions. We can write our writers and legislators. We can talk with friends and find out their understandings. We can write poetry, opening the questions in words. We can paint pictures illuminating the words carrying the questions. Lets get busy. I’m willing to try; You?

Here in this place where the snow has marshmellowed the landscape, wishing for a softening of the language that is sharp and harmful I pray. Let me be an instrument of your peace.

God abides and I thank God. bobbie g mcgarey, 022121