Stare into the infinite depths of a clear, cold night and it is easy to imagine that there must be life out there, somewhere among the billions of stars we can see and the billions more we cannot. Many wonder, some are looking very hard.

In December NASA reported discovery of a planet, Kepler 22b. For the first time in human history scientists have found and confirmed a planet in a “habitable zone” of a sun-like star that could potentially sustain some form of life. This extraordinary feat was accomplished using the large, powerful Kepler space telescope, launched into earth orbit in March of 2009.

The scientific precision needed and accomplished to observe a single planet in deep space is another of NASA’s astounding victories. The Kepler space telescope is on a satellite positioned to avoid our atmosphere, glare from our Earth and Sun and disturbance from Earth’s gravity. Kepler 22b is a tiny speck about 600 light years, or 3,528,000,000,000,000 miles, away from Earth. The light scientists see today left Kepler 22b decades before Christopher Columbus was born.

How rare and precious is life in the universe?

Now flip the telescope.

How abundant is life on Earth?

Despite thousands of brilliant minds studying every facet of Earth for hundreds of years, scientists don’t know how many varieties of life exist on our own planet. They don’t even have a good guess! In 2007, The National Science Foundation estimated somewhere between 10 and 100 million different species exist, of which less than 2 million have been identified. They are actively working to improve that estimate. Life inhabits every nook and cranny of this world; from the depths of the ocean floor to the top of the highest mountains, in the air, and under the ground. There are even bacteria that live deep in oil wells. It is literally everywhere.

“At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home.
By your will they were created and have their being.” (BCP 370)

Let’s focus a little closer. Of all the rich varieties of life on Earth, we find that only humanity posses the sort of reason and sentience we call “intelligent life.” (Other species think and feel, but they don’t launch Kepler telescopes.) How rare and precious is humanity? Look in the mirror. Of the 7 billion people on this planet, there is just one you.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life,* and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)

God spoke and created everything in this wondrous universe; including our Earth and Kepler 22b. He spoke and created you. God, who created you and loves you most of all, sent his Son for you. He spoke and created a star and the Magi who followed it to discover the miracle of God’s Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.

Your life is quite rare and precious. Do not squander it.

The New Year beckons us to renew and refresh our lives and to encourage others to do the same. St. Mary’s offers a continuous stream of ministry events and opportunities in the coming months. You will be invited again and again to support and/or participate in the many ways the Lord is calling us to grow and serve. These are busy and exciting days, for the very best purpose.

When we dig into our own faith and relationship with Christ, he causes us to reach out. When we get busy in service, he builds our relationship with him and others. Why not you? You’re special!

AMEN
Fr. Tim+