28 February.  SEE: Creation and Evolution.  Bruce, the scripture scholar reminded the groups.“Something that appears to be forgotten frequently when considering creation is the dynamic process of evolution. It is now widely recognized that creation was not a one-off six day event but a very long, and still ongoing process.  One very important aspect of creation, also seen from our particular family perspective, is the wonderful ability of sexual reproduction, as the way to sustain and multiply members and species. This was a command of God in the biblical account of creation.  The term reproduction creates the impression of a more mechanical act of mating or fertilization in plants but, possibly when termed sexuality, a more sensitive and emotional quality can be embedded in the concept, especially for us human beings, “created out of love, for love.”  

A time-line of creation.  Here is an interesting account of creation as a process over time, borrowed and adapted from a website on https://biomimicry.net/sexual-reproduction-how-nature-creates-complexity-diversity/  and https://biomimicry.net/earths-calendar-year/

Imagine compressing the age of earth i.e. 4.5 billion years into one calendar year.  All the major developments could be noted as a date on the calendar, beginning with January 1.  Life first appeared on earth in the form of a single-celled organism on February 25. These organisms simply replicated themselves like carbon copies. It was easy and it was fast. In March, photosynthesis evolved as a development in plant life. Much later, from 2 billion to 1.3 billion years ago, around 17 September on the Earth calendar, something new evolved. It began with bacteria exchanging genetic material after which gradually genetic mutation occurred. Sexual reproduction included mixing genes and so evolution continued, paving the way for the great diversity we see today.  Clearly in sexual reproduction organisms need to find a mate in order to reproduce. It would have been slow and tedious but hugely important, as current generations allow future generations to do more than their parents. Only in the last few hundred years is evolution being studied scientifically. Even without taking into consideration the psychological and emotional aspects, sexuality and reproduction still remain one of the great mysteries of creation.

Imagine, If you compress earth’s 4.5 billion year-long history into 1 year, homo sapiens evoled at about 11.30 on December 31 and today would be at less than 1 minute to midnight, How does that make you feel?

JUDGE, reflect and share.  Scripture:   So God created man in his own image, male and female he created them. And God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion…. God saw everything that he had made and behold it was very good. Gen 1:26-31.  Pope Francis.  The Bible teaches that every man and woman is created out of love and made in God’s image and likeness of immense dignity and not just something, but someone. Humankind    is capable of self-knowledge, of self-possession and of freely giving himself and entering into communion with other persons.LS 65. Frequently when certain species are exploited commercially little attention is paid to studying reproductive patterns in order to prevent their depletion and the consequent imbalance of the ecosystem. LS 35.

REFLECT, SHARE, ACT AND PRAY.   Reflect and share on the creation and evolution of sexuality as both a mechanical and relational matter.

NOTE:  The Lenten programme continues in THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY in March and is also available in full in booklet form as LOVE IS HIS LAW LOVE IS HIS WAY.