The Holy Trinity
Devotional
Water From the Well
Lectionary Devotional For Cycle A
Object:
See, I have given you every plant yielding seed ... you shall have them for food.
-- Genesis 1:29
This hymn of creation begins by speaking of God's relationship to the chaos of life. It uses several prominent symbols of chaos -- formlessness, watery void, darkness, even sea monsters. God demonstrated mastery over all that threatens us. By merely speaking a word, God could bring order and purpose out of chaos. Even seasons and times are products of God's creative word. In God's plan of creation, the living creatures are provided with food. Since this story wished to emphasize the harmony of creation and the absence of violence, the food provided was that of fruit and vegetables. Later, in the story of Noah, as a reflection of the real nature of our world, God allowed for birds, animals, and fish to also be food for humans (Genesis 9:3). The human creature, which at that point displayed the dual character of male and female, was given the task of dominion. The creature's role was not to dominate but to give order to the rest of creation. Such dominion did not simply mean the exercise of power over other aspects of creation but a respect and care for the various parts of creation. In turn, creation cared for humans by providing them with food. Food was a gift from God, and a part of human dominion was to see that it was distributed among the human populace in a manner that allowed God's intention to be fulfilled. From the beginning, hungry people were not in accordance with God's intention.
-- Genesis 1:29
This hymn of creation begins by speaking of God's relationship to the chaos of life. It uses several prominent symbols of chaos -- formlessness, watery void, darkness, even sea monsters. God demonstrated mastery over all that threatens us. By merely speaking a word, God could bring order and purpose out of chaos. Even seasons and times are products of God's creative word. In God's plan of creation, the living creatures are provided with food. Since this story wished to emphasize the harmony of creation and the absence of violence, the food provided was that of fruit and vegetables. Later, in the story of Noah, as a reflection of the real nature of our world, God allowed for birds, animals, and fish to also be food for humans (Genesis 9:3). The human creature, which at that point displayed the dual character of male and female, was given the task of dominion. The creature's role was not to dominate but to give order to the rest of creation. Such dominion did not simply mean the exercise of power over other aspects of creation but a respect and care for the various parts of creation. In turn, creation cared for humans by providing them with food. Food was a gift from God, and a part of human dominion was to see that it was distributed among the human populace in a manner that allowed God's intention to be fulfilled. From the beginning, hungry people were not in accordance with God's intention.
