As a little boy, I remember my mother pointing me in the direction of the night sky to view the moon and the stars. I recall her enthusiasm for me to appreciate the moonlight and the myriad of stars populating the darkness. She told me about moon phases, the North Star, and the Big Dipper. I could tell she found beauty and consolation in the night sky. Her delight in the heavens became mine. In those days, there was less artificial light to interfere with stargazing.
Sharing creation’s beauty and mystery is a gift we give to those we love. It is a gift that the Creator God gives to us all. It’s a blessing to have a guide to invite us to look up – to look around – to explore and see beyond our immediate surroundings.
Many of us have recently been inspired by images of the universe that the James Webb Space Telescope has captured, revealing greater depth and expanse of the cosmos for the first time. I struggle to understand the amazing distances and diversity of the multitude of galaxies.
We are witnessing God’s unfolding story. Indeed, we are participants, discoverers, and explorers – spectators and players in creation’s expanding symphony. We are gazing at a gallery of the heavens. Perhaps by looking into the expanse of creation, we can discover something about ourselves. As we learn, we develop; we deepen our insight into who God has created us to become as we marvel at the work of His hands. We embrace the growing knowledge of a universe in which we are blessed travelers – on a grand journey.
“Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all shining stars.” (Psalm 148:3)
We are grounded on earth and also part of a grand movement. We are pilgrims seeking to find and treasure our place in this awe-inspiring world. We yearn to know. We exist in the light of God’s glory.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the works of his hands.” (Psalm 19:2)
I think it is easy to feel smallness in this grand scheme, yet we are a priceless part of God’s intricate creation.
“You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13)
Perhaps in our family prayer, we can meditate these days on the natural world, a universe where infinite Love holds everything – and everyone.