This week’s Peace Moment is by Claudia Schooler.
PEACE MOMENT
“When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” Genesis 9:16, NRSV
This is God’s covenant promise to Noah and his descendants that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy the earth. It is the first Biblical mention of a covenant relationship. It is not a contract; it is a covenant. God set the terms binding only on God’s self – to never again destroy the earth by flood. Joseph Smith’s inspired version adds an invitation for the people to be participants in Zion building, to embrace the truth and look upward (Genesis 9:22, IV), but the rainbow promise remains the same – an unconditional and everlasting proclamation of mercy.
Genesis does not use the word ‘rainbow’, only ‘bow’. God’s bow had been a weapon raining down quivers full of watery arrows on the world’s wickedness. Now this bow is turned, arching heavenward with all the colors of life shining as a reminder of an all powerful God who chose to limit power in favor of love.
This might seem like an odd lectionary scripture choice on the first Sunday of Lent, a time when we turn our attention toward Jesus’ journey to the cross. God’s coming in human form, choosing love over power is perhaps the ultimate covenant. In the pursuit of peace, choosing love over power is our ultimate calling.