Evolving into th Future

For many Christians, Sunday marked the end of the Christmas Season.

The season ends with a reflection on the story of Jesus answering the call of John the Baptist, stepping out into the public world of first century Palestine through baptism in the river Jordan.

Christmas is the Season when Christians stop to remember the Good News that God is with us - and not with Christians alone but with all people. Deep Incarnation.

In this there is hope not just for today, but for the possibilities of the future.

We have learned from the gift of science that our world, in fact the whole universe, is in a process of becoming, evolving toward some future that can not even be imagined. Theologians, scientists and philosophers are all trying to envision what this continuing process of becoming can mean.

Too much time has been spent by theologians imagining that there was some previous moment when the universe or at least the earth was in some kind of perfect, or pristine condition - when all along it has been evolving steadily toward some future moment. Our sacred stories try to tell us of the time when humans arrived – but they can do so only imperfectly and always from our human point of view. The story of the Garden of Eden might be telling us that conditions at one moment were just right for the first step toward human existence, consciousness, and self awareness, but at the same time, all of the universe was in motion, evolving, becoming something as yet unknown. Evolution did not stop for humanity’s step into being, rather it seems that from within the continuing evolution a space was created that humans were able to fill and from that time on our ancient ancestors made steps that allowed them to continue growing and evolving into creatures capable of recognizing the Grace of God’s presence.

Jesus came into this world and made the same journey that each of us must make, from infant to adult, from birth to death. And by making this same journey validated our lives and the incremental steps that we make from generation to generation as we evolve within the presence of God who is Love.

The ancient texts tell of the hope people held as they struggled to make sense of their journey through life, through time. They had they hope that one day all would be well, that the Divine presence with them would be recognized, healing them and leading them ever forward out of agony and despair, into the fullness of joy, light and peace. Christians believe that in Jesus God's Presence was at last revealed. This is the miracle so recently celebrated throughout the Christmas Season. God is here. God has always been here though it took the presence of Jesus to make the Divine presence known.    

Jesus shows us the way and invites us to follow. It a way of humility, trust and love. 

We do not know where the end of our journey will be. We only know that we have been invited to come along. Trusting that the gentle, inclusive, and love filled path that Jesus walked will get us where we need to go at the moment we most need to be there.

But in order to follow this path we need to look forward, not backward. And that has been a problem with religion for some time now: clinging to the belief that the past held the perfect moment, the Garden of Eden, the right law, the perfect followers of Jesus, the correct words for praise, the right steps for peace and all along missing the reality that the universe is still evolving and as it moves, everything is evolving toward something more.

There is evil and brokenness in our world that comes from human sinfulness, our neglect and carelessness. But there is also the imperfection that comes with being a creation not fully finished, still evolving, always moving toward the path that makes for the fullness of life.

The past gives us lessons to learn from but it cannot give us the path forward because no time has been like this time. This moment in 2016 -- with all the possibilities and difficulties and resources that are available to us -- is a unique moment that will never exist again. In the light of faith, people are invited to view the world with Love and to be filled with hope and anticipation for what is to come.

In Laudato Si Pope Francis wrote: The universe did not emerge as the result of arbitrary omnipotence, a show of force or a desire for self-assertion. Creation is of the order of love. God’s love is the fundamental moving force in all created things. (77)

That should be comforting. We don’t need to be afraid of evolving, of growing and learning because the moving force in all created things is God’s love. Called beyond the fear of evolving, we are called to be attentive to the evolution of the universe. Writing in his book Resting on the Future, John Haught says: 

I believe a radical shift in cosmology and metaphysics could do much to liberate Catholic ethical reflection from the lingering effects of centuries of impatient otherworldly pietism, clericalism, and moralistic perfectionism. Once the horizon of religious expectation shifts toward concern for the cosmic future, our ethical idealism may give priority to the thriving of all creation, rather than the mere perfecting of our own souls. We may find, after all, that by attending to this wider concern – uniting our thirst for the kingdom of God to our sense of the world’s ongoing creation—our moral aspirations may gain fresh focus and motivation.” (145)

So what does this mean for people of faith today?

I think we generally keep our faith perspective too small.

The challenge from theology today is to consider something much larger. The whole of the Universe is evolving and we are a part of it. 

Jesus came into a world where there were deep divisions and troubles. The way he led his life facilitated healing and grace while others chose to feed into fear and suffering.

What we do each day matters. Our choices large and small make a difference in the evolving world and in the evolution of humanity. Scientists can tell us how at each tiny juncture, creation always opts for life whenever that pathway exists. This then is our clue about the importance of the choices we make. We are a part of this marvelous creation, the world, the universe and what we do matters because everything is connected and our choices should reflect our beliefs.

Everyday people are given the opportunity to choose what is life giving and loving at each tiny juncture, knowing that the force that keeps everything moving is Love. People can hinder movement with selfish acts, but like the path of water when it encounters an obstacle, Love will keep things going around or over us if necessary.

By grace, each day is a new day to respond. We may step out uncertain about the result, but knowing that we too must respond, as long as we are alive.

There are deep divisions and troubles in this world and we can either facilitate healing and grace or feed into fear and suffering.

I am encouraged and invigorated by the fact that Pope Francis and others are challenging Christians and all people to expand our consciousness. 

May this 2016 year be for you an exciting and inspiring journey.