Dear Pali Pres,
I must admit that I kind of got caught up in the solar eclipse “buzz” this past week. Not as much as many people, but I found the entire event rather cool and interesting to think about. The eclipse reminded me (and hopefully all of us) of how united we are as human beings on this one home we all share. It also reminded me that there are cosmic forces at play in this universe that are far beyond my control and understanding. Realizing, once again, how small my life is compared to all that is taking place out in the cosmos is pretty humbling, and yet comforting. The Creator of all the universe also created me; the one who set the stars, moon, and sun in the sky (and the One we are to thank for these amazing eclipses) also tends to me and cares about my little life. Amazing stuff, really.
On a somewhat related note, today is the anniversary of Galileo’s trial before the Roman Inquisition (which had been established by the Pope to regulate church doctrine). It was 1633 and the famous Italian astronomer was being judged for supporting the heretical idea that the Earth revolves around the sun, rather than the other way around. After agreeing to formally recant, Galileo was sentenced to house arrest and died at home eight years later. However, what Galileo said in his defense is worth remembering—he insisted that scientific research and Christian faith are entirely compatible, and that the study of the universe could actually encourage one’s faith and the proper interpretation of scripture. Legend has it that immediately after he recanted, as he rose from kneeling before his examiners, Galileo defiantly muttered, e pur, si movie (“even so, it does move”), referring to the Earth.
I hope you will find your faith comforted and encouraged by the amazing scientific phenomena that happen all around us, be they every 20 years or every 20 seconds!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Matt
