The school year is just beginning, and it brings back memories of the first few weeks of a new school year.
Reading the Creation Story (Genesis 1:1-2:4a) this week made me think of being involved in high school drama. One year we did Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Weekdays were filled with classes, homework and play practice. But Saturdays were different. On that day we gathered in the auditorium and created the sets. It was especially fun to paint bright colored “candy land” that would be the set for the Oompa Loompas to pop out from behind. The bright reds, yellows, oranges, and purples made it look bigger than life. Working together with others to take something that was a blank backdrop and turn it into an enchanted set was awe inspiring. It reminds me of how God creates the world and gives us the ability to continue that creation, whether that is through art, music, drama, or writing. It is also through scientific discoveries and medical research; design and manufacturing; architecture and road construction and so many other ways.
Let us pray, God of all creation, inspire us to see the beauty in all that you have created and entrusted to our care. Help us to use our gifts for the good of our neighbors and all of creation. Amen.