Tim Reardon parallels Paul’s letter to the Philippians 1:3-11 with the creation story in Genesis 1.

Paul is writing from prison, most likely in Rome, to the church in Philippi — a loving letter, full of affection and joy in the church there. And hope is important for Paul — both in the way the world is structured and in where it’s going. For Paul, the victory of the resurrection is the basis for our hope. Paul’s narrative offers a different world view from the dominant society surrounding him and the church of his time.

Stories are important because they color the way we view God. The creation story in Genesis 1 was written, as far as we know, while the Jewish people were exiled in Babylon. It is literature for an exiled people, a subjugated people. And while it mimics other creation stories, it doesn’t include the violence and destruction of enemies that other creation stories often do.

Our God’s creation is an invitation — a call. It is creation that seems to include the participation of creation itself — it’s interactive. And in this creation story God takes joy in creation. We are created to be in God’s image, counterparts with the capacity to love, to be compassionate, to have relationship with God — to help birth God’s peace. We too are called to live into God’s creation story.

Hear more in the audio below.