by Sr. Jean Noonan, RDC
Long before the dawn dusted hillsides scarlet and the winds enfolded the beauty, as restless waves caressed the shorelines – an ancient searing love permeated our Universe.
Creation Theology is virtually the re-discovery of our role as co-creators with our God, participants in the transformation of our world into a new heaven and a new earth. We are each conceived and birthed in the image and likeness of God. We were never meant to be spectators but to be active participants in the magnificent plan of God’s Universe.
Can you walk where the Wind of the Spirit flows? I believe that I have lived with this gift for many years. Probably a great part of this journey has been to perceive and to respond to the Face of Our God. Needless to say, my personal scientific research and prayer life have influenced my perception of God.
To live with the Spirit of God is to be a listener,
To keep the vigil of the mystery.
One leans to catch the stirrings of the Sacred Spirit;
Strange as the winds will, this Sacred Space.
Although creation occurred millions of years ago and if I had existed at all it would have been in the heart and mind of my God – my heart and soul would have found so much joy and mystery just to silently hold that gift of wonder.
In Your wisdom and generosity, You, Our God, breathed upon and created this Cosmic Universe; gathering protons, positrons, nano particles along with many more sub-atomic particles to form the matter and antimatter of our global universe. Each of us has shared in the wonder of this geogenesis [creation of the world]. We have been created to live inclusive of all nations, nationalities, social status, political and religious preferences.
I first really absorbed the content of the Earth Charter, a global movement toward nonviolence and peace, on a retreat at Mercy Center in Madison, Connecticut. In reality, the Earth Charter movement has created a theological transmutation of millions of non-sectarian and religious people, uniting as ONE PEOPLE under God our Cosmic Creator.
During these years, I have been blessed with the grandeur of Creation and our Universe, with the excellent NASA photos and scientific explanation, as well as [an understanding of the] deeply spiritual relevance of our Cosmic journey.
Many others, across the centuries and around the globe, have expressed this same wonder in the face of God seen in Creation:
The 13th century Dominican friar] Meister Eckhart: “Deep within us all is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking voice to which we continuously return. Eternity is at our heart, pressing upon our time torn lives, warming us with intimations of an astonishing destiny, calling us home unto itself.”
The 20th century Jesuit paleontologist and geologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin felt, in the intimacy of his life and innermost thoughts, his love and dedication to God as a friend, companion and mentor.
The 20th century Russian cosmonaut Boris Volyner: “ Having seen the sun, stars and our planet one begins to look at all life with trepidation, patience and kindness among nations. (NASA)
The 20th century American astronaut Edgar Mitchell: “240,000 miles in space I suddenly experienced a glimpse of Divinity in our unity.” (NASA)
Let us all remember that we equally share in God’s gift of life. May we learn to join in the universal hymn of peace and justice as we share God’s Mystical Plan. This journey will be manifest when we share with courage, joy and dedication in God’s created Universe.
