A profound coincidence for some but not for others . . .

In certain circles there has been a lot of sound and fury (see Macbeth's soliloquy in act 5, scene 5 of William Shakespeare's Macbeth) over the fact the Earth Day 2011 and Good Friday 2011 fall on Friday, April 22.

The TEC website says:

“This year, Earth Day falls on Good Friday - a profound coincidence. On the day we mark the crucifixion of Christ, let us remember that when Earth is degraded and species go extinct, a part of God's body experiences a different type of crucifixion, and another way of seeing and experiencing God is diminished.

To fully honor Earth Day, we need to reclaim the theology that knows Earth is "very good" and holy. When we fully recognize this, our actions will create a more sustainable, compassionate economy and way of life.”

Obviously, the coincidence is not particularly “profound” if one understands the actual definition of the word. However, it is a coincidence.

I will not diminish the importance of Earth Day. We are stewards of God’s Creation so we need to be aware of the harm we do to the earth. But the earth is not a part of God as the statement from TEC seems to imply. We understand that God created all of creation that includes the earth. The earth is a created being or in older terms a creature. Jesus was present at creation as was the Holy Spirit as co-persons of the Holy Trinity. God has no body except that which Jesus incarnated during his walk upon the earth.

Again, Christians need to be good stewards and Earth Day is an important secular remembrance but compared to the truly profound mystery of Good Friday as part of God’s great plan for human redemption through Jesus Christ, Good Friday clearly trumps any other competing day of secular concern.

Good Friday is one of two days of obligation in the Christian calendar year. It is the day on which Christians contemplate the actual death of Jesus Christ – the death of God. It is a profound mystery. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son so that all who believe in him might have everlasting life! (John 3:16)

God gave of God’s self that all humankind and all creation might be redeemed. That is just a way bigger deal than Earth Day for believers. That is a profound thought!