Author Marilynne Robinson in her new book "Reading Genesis" concludes that this is an ORIGIN story which borrowed liberally from the Babylonian mythologies created Israel's near-east neighbours. But while those featured fickle, rivalrous deities,, Genesis portrays a troubled love story between humanity and a divine creator who is described as, extraordinarily, "having created man in our own image".

And on nature, Robinson points out, "the beauty of the trees is noted before the fact that they yield food". Genesis 2, 9 'and the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground - trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food'....

In Ignatian spirituality, breath symbolizes both God's Spirit and the continuous gift of life. Every breath is a reminder of God's presence; every breath affirms the God-given value of each person's spirit.

How can a re-imagining of creation inform our situation today? Can this narrative say anything meaningful to a secular mind? Robinson implies that it can, at a gloomy moment when "the natural order and the social order are fraying together". In the ancient rabbis' account of a merciful God who refuses to write people off in spite of everything, Robinson finds a way to produce a powerful meditation on hope at a time when that virtue is generally in short supply.

Next week - start of Holy week, usual time of 7pm. And some thoughts on dying / resurrection.....

Peace and blessings

Peter