“THE GREEN, GREEN GRASS OF HOME” Based on Genesis 2:1-9 clan of every race, has at one Notice the wording here. God Tom Jones wrote the words, time contemplated their planted a garden in the east, in ‘It's good to touch the green, beginnings, and written down, as Eden. So was the garden, Eden, green grass of home.” Now I think best they understood, the creation or was there a special part of the he was referring to heaven, but I of life. The classic version of garden in the eastern section? suppose we could use the same Genesis 1 probably comes to your Something to ruminate about over lines to consider the state of mind first. lunch. But here is the interesting affairs in regards to our earth. In the beginning God created part for me: Truth is, you don’t hear too much the heavens and the earth…And these days about the ‘green, God said, “Let there be light,” and The Lord God made all kinds green grass of home’, but more there was light.” (v1,3). of trees grow out of the ground— about the green of envy and the By the end of the creation, all trees that were pleasing to the green of greed when it comes to living creatures had been made, eye and good for food. In the using and mis-using our earth. and humankind to enjoy it. middle of the garden were the Then of course, there is the tree of life and the tree of the heated battle of opinions right In Genesis 2, a very similar knowledge of good and evil. (v9) now regarding climate change. story appears. You don’t hear this The trees in this garden were It’s for real! No, it’s not! version as often. I suspect it has beautiful to look at, branches It’s a natural cycle! It’s a something to do with Adam and hanging low with fresh fruit. There political gimmick! Eve, and that dreadful serpent, was the tree of life, and the tree of I was passing by an episode of and that tempting apple. It’s just knowledge, of good and evil. Ancient Aliens the other day, and much easier to leave the Creation As you can probably suspect, even aliens from outer space are Story at the end of Chapter 1 the writer was not referring only to being blamed for the present state when everything is neat and tidy, trees you can climb or hang a of our earthly problems. and everyone is behaving. Rather swing from. The ancient Hebrew like those who argue that taking words used to describe these So let’s set aside the chatter, care of the earth would be so ‘trees’ have far deeper meaning the cynicism, the hype and much simpler if we could just all than our English words can hoopla. Let’s have a look at what learn to get along. I know it's a satisfy. the scriptures say about our great argument in theory, but you ‘green, green grass of home’. Our know people as well as I do, and There was the tree ‘that was earthly home? Our spiritual home getting along is not something we pleasing to the eye’: within? Perhaps the latter might always do well. But, I digress! beauty, colour, lovliness, be able to influence the former? a vision In Genesis 2, There was the tree ‘good for There are two creation stories “The Lord God had planted a food’: in Genesis. We are lucky there garden in the east, in Eden.” (v8). fruit, meat, nourishment are only two, to sort out. Every of any sort for our bodies There was the tree ‘of life’: and sadness. Then He stepped abuse the resources the the green, green back, and let us live. He let us earth provides us. grass, fresh water, the learn. He let us fall, and rise 2) We do need to influence activities of humankind, again. He continues to let us those in charge to make the renewal of the explore. He continues to watch us different corporate seasons, friends, family, fall and rise again. decisions to be gentler on community our earth. There was the tree ‘of Our earth reminds us over and 3) We need to take a knowledge’: over if we watch carefully, that the moment every day to skill and talent, wonder of creation is not just how breathe in, the wonder of perception, discernment, we got to be here, but how our the green green grass of understanding, wisdom earth continues to redevelop, and our home. There was the tree ‘of good’: revive itself when given the Genesis reminds us: pleasant things, richness, chance. People are no different. 1) God created us to kindness, justice, joy People come to us hurt and wholesome individuals, There was the tree ‘of evil’: bruised emotionally by life, by physically cared for and hurtful actions, other people, by circumstance, by spiritually strong. We will viciousness, misery, unhappiness a bad twist of fate. The Easter fall, but we will rise again. story of the weeks past, remind us 2) Resurrection reminds us Our God created a world with of the ability to renew, to refresh, that death is not the end. everything needed to keep our and to revive. Resurrection gives We can re-invent bodies healthy and functioning us, the opportunity to rise again. ourselves. well. He gave us all the things our We do not need to stay broken, 3) In the beginning, there spirits would need to thrive as bruised, hurt, or stuck. was God. At the end, individuals, as families, and as there will be God. Do not communities. He gave us morals Earth Day reminds us: live in fear. and values. He gave us the ability 1) We need to pay attention Amen. to make choices and decisions. to the ways in which we He even gave us both happiness