Terry Paul Choyce
June 24, 2007, Brunswick Street United Church
Welcome to summer! This is the time of year when we can finally get outside without a heavy coat, insulated boots, and fleece gloves. I love summer in Nova Scotia, and this is truly is one of the most beautiful places on earth. We have the ocean, forests, mountains, thousands of lakes, productive fields, and air that is mostly clean. We live in paradise. But we are also destroying our paradise.
A few months ago Rev. David Hart delivered a sermon at the Unitarian Church of Halifax. He has graciously consented to let me borrow a piece of it for my sermon today. David told this story.
There once was a little fish that swam up to its mother and asked, "Mother, what is this water that I hear so much about? " His mother laughed and responded saying, "You silly little fish. Why, it's all around you, within you, and gives you life. Just swim to the top of the pond and lie there for a while. Then you'll know what water is. " Another time, a little fawn walked up to his mother and said, "Mother, what is this air I hear so much about. " She too smiled and said, ""The air is within you and around you. Air gives you life. If want to know what air is, go stick your head in a stream for a while, and you'll soon find out. " Finally, there once was a young man beginning his spiritual journey in life. After having difficulty knowing where to turn, he asked a holy woman, "What is this God I hear so much about? "
The reason why this understanding of God I have just named is so important is because it is one that does not separate God from creation. It is true that God transcends the created order, God is greater and larger, and beyond this creation. But God also lives in and through the created order.
Human beings have a tendency to separate the world of the spirit from the world of matter. But in the ultimate understanding of God, there truly is no separation; there is just oneness and unity. The created world of matter, of time and space, is as much a creation of, or a manifestation of God, as are the spiritual realms beyond this earth. It is God's energy and power that gives life to the world as we know it. Indeed, the entire material world is a reflection of God. It is a reflection of God that exists within the parameters of space and time and limitation, and therefore contains within it the possibilities for suffering and even evil. But it is still a manifestation and reflection of God.
That means this entire universe, and every single bit of life within it, is sacred. Every human being, indeed every single speck of life, is not simply a mortal flesh and blood, or material being. Rather, every single human being, every single bit of life, participates in the divinity of God, participates in the ultimate spirit and power of God. It can be no other way. Every single human being is a
creation, a reflection, a manifestation of God .... Possessing limitations and shortcomings, yes, but none-the-less still a reflection of God and a part of God.
So whether you are white or black, employed, middle class or, poor and unemployed, sick or healthy, gay or straight, rich or poor, you are all manifestations of, reflections of the very power and spirit of God. Within a field of rich soil, many different flowers grow ... all different sizes, all different colors, all different breeds, but they all grow out of and are nourished by one and the same soil. It is the same for us, and indeed for all of life.
When we literally see the earth as an expression of God, participating in the very power and being of God, it changes entirely how we relate to the earth. It becomes the sacred outer expression of the very spirit of God. The earth is seen as sacred, as divine. And we are called to treat it as such. When we literally see the other person sitting beside us as an expression of the very power and being of God, as an expression of God the same as me, I can never look at you or treat you the same again. Your external qualities and characteristics become less important. What is most fundamentality important about you is your spiritual birthright, your underlying participation in God. And I need to relate to you, need to treat you as an expression of God. And that changes everything. This vision gives birth to compassion, respect, tolerance and justice.
So you and I are expressions of God. The whole earth and everything on it is a creation of God. Therefore, when we mistreat each other, and when we pollute and devastate this planet and all that is on it, we are in essence, hurting God. So if we claim to be Christians who love God, then we have to love and respect and care for the earth, and each other. This to me is simple, plain logic.
You have heard from me often enough about how we are damaging this planet and how we have to change our ways if we are to survive. But this is a new tactic for me to try and convince you that the earth is a part of God. God asked us to be the caretakers of this beautiful extension of the Divine. We are to be the stewards of the planet. If I was a mother and I left a person in charge of my child, I would be enraged to find out that my child was mistreated and neglected - and worse. Wouldn't you be enraged too? And yet for thousands of years mankind has abused their home, God's creation, as if it is worthless and disposable. And now scientists and environmentalists are telling us that our earth may no longer be able to support us as it does now, because it has been irretrievably altered. We have to fix our mistakes and change our ways.
I believe in a forgiving God. I believe in divine healing. Didn't Jesus walk all over Israel, healing people? Didn't he make miracles happen? And even today, I know that miracles happen. To me, just being able to be up here to share this message with you, is a miracle. I have a friend, Shelley Yates, and 4 years ago she and her young son were drowned. They were dead. But they came back to life, right here in HRM. This was an amazing, modern day miracle.
I have talked to you before about the world meditation that is happening soon that is called "Fire the Grid"". Shelley has started this huge movement to bring millions of people together in shared joy and gratitude - at the same time, to heal this planet. Through her website, and the speaking tour she has done in 28 cities around North America, and the many media presentations she has done, there are now literally millions of people who have committed themselves via the website, www.firethegrid.com, to spend one hour in prayerful bliss on July 17th. The prime time is 11:11 Greenwich Mean Time.
Here in Metro we will be gathering at DeWolf Park in Bedford at 7:30 AM to listen to Shelley, and then to share our Divine energy with each other, and the earth. I truly believe that if enough people decide that they will love this planet intensely for just one hour, a miracle will begin to happen. The earth will begin to be healed because the collective consciousness of a critical mass of people has joined to let God know that we love this Earth. And then our actions must show that we love this planet. God will be so happy that we are faithful stewards of this paradise we have been given.
I am going to end with two poems by Joyce Rupp from her book the Cosmic Dance. Page 97, "What Have You Done to Me?" ends:
"I am Earth, your nurturing Mother, wounded and in sore distress. Who will hear my cry? Who will bear my sorrow? Who will come to my aid? Who will free me from my pain?"
"O Gaia" (Page 57) ends with:
"O Gaia, each experience has drawn me to you, one and all have anchored me in your beauty. All of my days, replete with your bounty. All of my life, a savouring of your elegance. All of my nurturing, suckled from your sources. All of my love, astounded at your goodness. All of my journey, one great moment of unity."
Please share the information about the meditation with everyone you know. If you can come to DeWolf Park on the 17th, great. If not, stop wherever you are and give thanks to God for your life, for everyone and every thing that you love, and for this wonderful planet. This is the home of God, and I am so thankful that I have had the privilege of living in this sacred garden.
Prayer written by Chief Seattle (edited):
Every part of earth is sacred to my people.
Every shining pine needle, every shady shore, every mist in the dark woods,
every clearing, and humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people.
The sap which courses through the trees carries the memories of the red man.
This we know. The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth.
This we know. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family.
All things are connected.
Whatever befall the earth, befalls the sons of earth.
Man does not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it.
Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.
One thing we know. Our God is the same God.
This earth is precious to Him. Even the white man cannot be exempt from the common destiny.
We may be brothers, after all.
Amen
©Terry Paul Choyce. Used with permission from the author.
