He recently wrote an article for the Herald on the recent excitement about the discovery of the Higgs Boson particle. If you missed it click here. He has an interesting line about the origin of the term "God particle"!
Whether or not we think this discovery brings us any closer to "understanding" God's creative activity, it certainly reminds me yet again of the amazing complexity of the universe. We (Ponsonby Baptist Church community) were encouraged - half jokingly I think - to see how the discovery of the Higgs Boson particle could lead to a call to worship. Several people responded and this prayer was used last Sunday as just that - a call to worship:
In the chaos of collision comes enlightenment.
From high speed disintegration we learn something more
of the secrets of big bangs and new beginnings.
We collide: with life, with meaning, with others,
with a vast and unknown darkness
with a vast and unknown darkness
Our chaotic thoughts shatter and decay
pinpricks of light making momentary marks on the vast screen of reality.
We collide with you God
In our chaos and brief flashes of registered presence
Grant us insight on what really counts
and peace to live with our short moments of lucidity and light
before the flash of existence and life becomes a faded memory.
(Thanks to Rob Kilpatrick)
Much food for thought here!
I think this prayer lends itself to being used for a Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) meditation. If you are not familiar with that way to pray the simple steps are:
1. Read until a word or line draws your special attention. (Lectio)
2. Reflect on what that might be about for you. (Meditatio)
3. Respond in some way - a prayer, a cry, a commitment. (Oratio)
4. Rest in the awareness of God present in all of this. (Contemplatio)
(There is a much more detailed explanation of Lectio Divina here.)
