A priest of the Church was feeling sad as he celebrated the Holy Communion with his people for the last time (it was the day of his retirement). An interesting thing happened at the time of the Offertory, when saying the sentence: "Lord, yours is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all things come from you and of your own we give you." At this moment his personal sadness at retiring was "swamped" with gratitude for the privilege of being given a priestly office and the grace to perform it. It is overwhelming when one realises that the hand of God is playing an essential part.
The theme this week, "The Creation", could refer to the scientific account of creation written on the crust of the earth to be revealed by magnificent research, or to the religious account given beautifully in the Authorised Version of the first chapter of Genesis. They complement each other and make an impact ... if we let it happen.
It can happen in many ways as we realise the magnificence of the Creator's presence in the starlit sky, or his inspiration in art, or music, or kindly expressions of love. There is assurance in the fact that the Creator is seen to be always at work redeeming and sanctifying lives.
The Collect about his creation is helpful for those who long to be won over by its positive message: "Almighty God, you created the heavens and the earth, and made us in your own image. Teach us to discern your hand in all your works, and to serve you with reverence and thanksgiving."
The realisation that God makes and loves each part, item and person in His creation is indeed an overwhelming thought. It leaves believers in Him with the responsibility of learning the habit of discerning the hand of God.
We can discern the hand of God at work in times of trouble, bereavement, disappointment and sadness. He helps us "not to sorrow as those without hope".
We can discern the hand of God at work in people's attitude to the needs and suffering in the world. The attitude, "your in your small corner and I in mine", is not in line with the wider sense of responsibility to be admired in Amnesty International or the bravery of Greenpeace.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta and thousands more showed the hand of God at work. The late Princess Diana of Wales alerted the world to the awful results of landmines.
With courage we face the facts of the Creation, and are awakened to a wider and deeper reverence for God's live in the world. We treasure the signs of His perpetual creating each time we receive Him in the Holy Communion. W.W.