Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Trinity Sunday and Environment Sunday.
John 1:18-36
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John1:1)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John1:1)
Let me start today's meditation with a short story about Sherlock Holmes and his friend Dr. Watson going camping. After dinner, they go to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend and said, “Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.” Watson replied, “I see millions of stars. I can see that God is all-powerful and that we are small and insignificant.” I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. Holmes was silent for a minute, then said: “Watson, you fool. Someone has stolen our tent!” This story gives us a picture of today’s generation living carelessly, enjoying life without any thought of the future and without realizing it, even when we have lost our roof.
The God-given ecosystem is a roof over our lives and the earth. We are least bothered today about the God-given environment being destroyed, and if we continue with this attitude, it will be an unimaginable distraction that will affect our future existence. As a faith community, we must remember that in this time of the great pandemic, the time has come for the church and community to consider and think about the environment and its importance.
Based on today’s Gospel portion (John 1:1-18), let me share some thoughts on the Holy Trinity and the environment, their relationship, and their spiritual significance in our lives.
1)Trinitarian God: the proto-environmentalist
In John 1:3-5, it can be seen that creation belongs to God and is part and parcel of God. The term "logos" (word) is used by the apostle John to explain the pre-existence and importance of Christ’s event and His mission. According to Greek philosophy, Logos is the real logic and reason behind the universe. According to Jewish theological understanding, Logos is a substitute for God. The pre-existence and identity of the Word (Logos) set out to explain that the entire creation was made through the Logos (v.3a). The words "all things were made through Him" pave the way for a new and insightful ecological understanding of creation. John says the world is made through Christ and for Christ. But the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own, but His own creation disowned Him. This text clearly says that God’s creation moves side by side with salvation. The Triune God is the creator, liberator, and protector, indicating the Triune God's proto-environmentalist nature, as He cares for His creation and its salvation both literally and metaphorically.
2)Trinitarian relationship: creates space for the environmental community.
The concept of the Trinity has its own divine nature, expressed in relation to the other person of the Trinity. There is space for each divine person, as each person is related to the other. The Father God creates space for the Son and the Son creates space for the Holy Spirit. They cannot exist without one another. The Trinitarian relationship helps us to create space for others to have and experience community fellowship. The Gospel of John opens up a new dimension of looking at the entire creation as a part of God himself or as God’s body. Indeed, the root Greek word egeneto ("came through") is closely related to other Greek words like genesis (birth) and genos (kind, family) to suggest that all things, that is, the creation, are born from God or are part of God’s family. Hence, according to the gospel of John, the relationship between creation and God is a closely-knit familial or community relation.
3)Trinitarian unity: a sublime symbol for environmental co-existence
As human beings, we are created in the image of God. It emphasizes that, according to twentieth-century theologians, "to be made in the image of God is to be made in the image of the Holy Trinity." The pre-existence of the Word that is Christ, who is God (v.3), and in Him was Life, and that life was the Light of all mankind (v.4). Though they are three divine persons, they are forever united and dwell with each other in mutual love and understanding. Though they are three people, they are one God, and they always act in harmony. The Trinitarian unity provides a new vision for the ideal environmental community in which humans and the ecosystem are united by mutual respect and love. Where they co-exist and work together in harmony, equality, and dignity.
The God-given ecosystem is a roof over our lives and the earth. We are least bothered today about the God-given environment being destroyed, and if we continue with this attitude, it will be an unimaginable distraction that will affect our future existence. As a faith community, we must remember that in this time of the great pandemic, the time has come for the church and community to consider and think about the environment and its importance.
Based on today’s Gospel portion (John 1:1-18), let me share some thoughts on the Holy Trinity and the environment, their relationship, and their spiritual significance in our lives.
1)Trinitarian God: the proto-environmentalist
In John 1:3-5, it can be seen that creation belongs to God and is part and parcel of God. The term "logos" (word) is used by the apostle John to explain the pre-existence and importance of Christ’s event and His mission. According to Greek philosophy, Logos is the real logic and reason behind the universe. According to Jewish theological understanding, Logos is a substitute for God. The pre-existence and identity of the Word (Logos) set out to explain that the entire creation was made through the Logos (v.3a). The words "all things were made through Him" pave the way for a new and insightful ecological understanding of creation. John says the world is made through Christ and for Christ. But the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own, but His own creation disowned Him. This text clearly says that God’s creation moves side by side with salvation. The Triune God is the creator, liberator, and protector, indicating the Triune God's proto-environmentalist nature, as He cares for His creation and its salvation both literally and metaphorically.
2)Trinitarian relationship: creates space for the environmental community.
The concept of the Trinity has its own divine nature, expressed in relation to the other person of the Trinity. There is space for each divine person, as each person is related to the other. The Father God creates space for the Son and the Son creates space for the Holy Spirit. They cannot exist without one another. The Trinitarian relationship helps us to create space for others to have and experience community fellowship. The Gospel of John opens up a new dimension of looking at the entire creation as a part of God himself or as God’s body. Indeed, the root Greek word egeneto ("came through") is closely related to other Greek words like genesis (birth) and genos (kind, family) to suggest that all things, that is, the creation, are born from God or are part of God’s family. Hence, according to the gospel of John, the relationship between creation and God is a closely-knit familial or community relation.
3)Trinitarian unity: a sublime symbol for environmental co-existence
As human beings, we are created in the image of God. It emphasizes that, according to twentieth-century theologians, "to be made in the image of God is to be made in the image of the Holy Trinity." The pre-existence of the Word that is Christ, who is God (v.3), and in Him was Life, and that life was the Light of all mankind (v.4). Though they are three divine persons, they are forever united and dwell with each other in mutual love and understanding. Though they are three people, they are one God, and they always act in harmony. The Trinitarian unity provides a new vision for the ideal environmental community in which humans and the ecosystem are united by mutual respect and love. Where they co-exist and work together in harmony, equality, and dignity.
Prayer
O Lord, help us to understand our cosmic relationship and our cosmic responsibility. Amen
Thought of the day
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” 1 Corinthians 10:26
Rev. Renny Varghese,
Vicar
Immanuel MTC, Virginia
Vicar
Immanuel MTC, Virginia