The Rain of God
Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily from March 5, 2006
"See,
I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you and with
every living creature that was with you."
IN THE WAKE of the Tsunami and Katrina we are
all aware anew of the destructive power of water. Mardi Gras was subdued with
the memory and the reality of lost lives and property. The northern icecap is
melting twice as fast as expected. Every year the melting ice is equivalent
to the amount of water all of America consumes in three months. At the same
time Africa is experiencing drought and increasing hunger.
When I served in Banica in the Dominican Republic, I felt the irony of baptizing
people with the new life of baptismal water, while burying people because of
diseases caused by contaminated wells and streams.
In the imbalance of the elements and dare we say in global warming, we are
beginning to recognize a human factor. Care for creation yields to carbon dioxide,
exploitation and greed. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world.
The readings today plunge us into the great deluge in Noah's time and lead
us into the dry desert with Jesus.
Jesus and Noah are about the work of covenant renewal. The rainbow is the sign
of a pledge between the creator and all living beings. This covenant will be
sealed anew in the dying and rising of the Lord.
All our Lenten disciplines are oriented and find their meaning in the covenant
we will remake at Easter. It is no accident that the sign of that pact is water.
The Paschal Vigil proclaims a new creation not only for the candidates for baptism,
but for the whole human family.
Even beyond the human family, the Easter mystery restores all of creation.
Resurrection flows in to Pentecost, the season when we pray: "Come Holy
Spirit and renew the face of the earth". St Paul writes, "All of creation
is groaning for redemption." Well may the City of Richmond mourn the unnecessary
killing of two bears in state custody.
We fast and abstain to restore the balance. We eat less that others may eat.
We deal with our obesity that others may not be starved. Let us also consider
ways of deepening our care for nature. How about walking to church for Lent,
if you live close by? You save gas and parking places, as well as revive the
ancient discipline of pilgrimage.
In all we do, remember the promise: "I will recall the covenant I have
made with you and all living beings."
