2018/03/08

For love of the Universe

Three weeks ago I spent with Martina few days in Tromsø (It was her anniversary wish). Tromssø is a Norvegian city way above the Polar Circle right in the “Auroral zone” – this is a geographic belt around the poles which is excellent for observing Auroras (Northern Lights). That was our goal - to see Aurora Borealis. During shorter days temperatures stayed around single digits (Fahrenheit) and overnight they were dipping deep into the minus territory (cold waters of a fjord were steaming like a boiling pot).
            We spent nights outside hunting and observing this awesome celestial spectacle. Streams and curtains of light are flowing and swirling across the wide expanses of sky from one horizon to another. This marvelous display was often as bright as street lights, illuminating Norwegian fjords, mountains and peaks with its predominant bright green light.
            Aurora received its name from the name of the Latin goddess of the dawn. As if the ancients knew about its close association with our Sun. Polar lights are caused by particles of solar wind which are deflected and captured in the high atmosphere (High Mesospher and low Thermosphere). Northern lights are in fact a spectacular sideshow by which our planet is protecting and keeping all of us, terrestrials, alive.
            While I was preparing for this trip, I refreshed my high school education and perhaps learned a little bit more about the Northern lights. Understanding them was great, but direct experience was awe inspiring.  And theologically (in thinking of faith) this combination of beauty and protection revealed to me a prime example of the divine love of the Universe.  It will be our theme this Sunday - reclaiming the famous John 3:16 from the clutches of evangelicals and fundamentalists and highlighting its beautiful message of inclusive divine love.

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