QOTM...*: St. Paul

(*Quote of the month)

The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being held back. God reins it in until both creation and all creatures are ready, and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens...

~~ St. Paul, Romans 8:19-21, Holy Bible

Much is said of Easter as it relates to the new creation. But what of Easter as it relates to the old? In seasonal realities, obviously, spring is full of the rebirthing of life, both vegetable and animal, so it becomes a fitting time for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. This we know. But does the old creation know something more of what is to come? It seems so. Though I usually use my quote of the month to highlight a great saying from a naturalist, I cannot resist going to the Bible this great Holy Week.

You see here the words of St. Paul, speaking under the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit. Though the Apostle himself is not well-known as a naturalist, one can certainly say that the Holy Spirit is: it was the Spirit of God Who hovered, even incubated, over the chaos before God brought created order and beauty into being. (See Genesis 1:1-5.)

J.B. Phillips translated Paul's text this way, that creation 'waits on tiptoe' to see the fulfillment of what God has in store as the result of Christ's loving, redeeming work. So, hallelujah! Christ is risen! It's not just about us. It's about all of creation!

Be Blessed this Day of Days,

RGM, Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013