The Groaning of Creation & Good Friday

                                                                       Tree -- Jyoti Sahi

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 

and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, 

groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 

For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. 

For who hopes or what is seen? 

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Romans 8:22-25 NRSV 

We went to Prince Edward County yesterday and were blessed to walk in two places where there were virtually no other humans. On a solemn Good Friday we tramped along in the absence of human-made sounds and for stretches of silence between us. At one point Ruth asked if I had a scripture verse or passage floating around in my head that suited the moment. I had actually been thinking of Romans 8, and the apostle Paul's thoughts about the groaning of Creation. 

We found a bench, I conjured up the verses and we talked about the other, even more serious pandemic of our altered climate and the degradation of planet Earth. We had already walked through what we think of as a sacred grove of trees where many have been knocked down by wind bursts or have tumbled into Lake Ontario because of shoreline erosion. When we walked another beach a while later it was knee-deep in tiny mussel shells, one of the invasive species which humans have brought to the Great Lakes. Creation is groaning, if we are willing to listen. 

On Good Friday we express our gratitude for God's love for us, in the Crucified One. We have tended to be anthropocentric, to speak of Jesus, the Christ, dying for humanity and for each one of us. Yet the gospel of John reminds us that "God so loved the World." a phrase which is the title of a  John Stainer piece which was traditionally sung at this time of year. 

What if we Groundlings took this phrase to heart, and if we are became truly attentive to the cries of Creation? I am moved by Christ's love for me, and the profound meaning on the cross. I want to be much more inclusive in my understanding of Good Friday, in both word and deed, for the sake of all living things.