Day 1 - Star Gazing

Did you see the Planetary Parade last week? Since January six planets in the night sky have been visible all at once: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. And in the last week of February Mercury also emerged into the night sky, making for a seven-planet alignment. There were some fabulous images published. I’m glad that they were as I wasn’t sure which were planets and which were stars when I gazed up at the night sky.

I tried to take a picture to illustrate this reflection, but the quality was very poor. I think there’s too much light pollution where I live. That’s my excuse anyway!

How many of you are like me? The moment I think of a story like the Planetary Parade, or I gaze up at a vibrant night sky, Psalm 8 comes to mind. I’m sure you don’t need me to remind you, but here’s the words from the New Living Translation:

“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers — the moon and the stars you set in place — what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honour.”

No wonder the Psalmist begins and ends this Psalm with the words:

“O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!”

Isn’t it amazing that the majesty of God – as reflected in the night sky – is also reflected in our lives? We have great worth because we bear the stamp of the Creator, we are made in the image of the Creator. That is just an amazing fact. And God has given great authority to the human race – to be in charge of the whole earth, to look after it. With great authority comes great responsibility. It’s just a shame we often place more emphasis on defence budgets than care budgets!

At the start of this 95-day adventure into Lent and Easter and Pentecost I hope you will grasp something of the glory of God as shared by our different contributors. We will think of Creation, use prayers, explore hymns, have Bible Studies, look at mindfulness and let art speak to us in many different ways. I hope you enjoy and appreciate them, and learn and grow from them. Most of all, may you reflect God’s glory in every aspect of your life.

Welcome to ASecludedPlace 2025!

God of the Universe, we are dust and stardust, made in your image. We are part of the creation you are making new. Let our awe increase, like your ever-changing universe, until we find ourselves lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer from the Book of Common Worship

Neil Chappell