Second Sunday in Lent, February 28
Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18. God took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” God added, “shall your descendants be…” God made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River, the Euphrates.”
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passage is controversial. But like many things in the Bible, it is controversial but beautiful. God is pleased with Abraham: it is not until the last words that God announces that God will give Abraham the land, and says “Look up and count the stars if you can.” To say descendants shall be like the stars is quite beautiful. The stars have had numerous names, and have been honored by numerous cultures. And one day there shall be peace where Palestinians and Jews shall be honored equally for their lasting contributions to our world culture. I was in London over break and got to go to Westminster Abbey: there are scientists and poets, atheists, agnostics, as well as religious people buried there. To quote my friend, “it is nice that everyone’s together.” We have a responsibility to our cultures and people, just as we have to take care of the animals. (Genesis 1:26-1:27, and in this passage). - Sam Katz, Senior, Sociology |
