Genesis 2:18-24
           Community

          Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner."

So out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken." Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.

          One of the things that just drives me crazy (not a long ride I am told) are people who take the bible literally. Perhaps worse is picking which passages to take literally and then, in reference to other passages, say that "this is what it really means". There are so many contradictions in the scriptures, just in Genesis alone.  Between transcribing errors and translational errors, can one really be sure what a passage means.?

           Rather than a literal writing of God's exact words because I think God would have made less mistakes and been quite a bit clearer, I believe the Bible are stories compiled by man, surely inspired by God, of life as lived by people who wish to follow His word. It is a compilation of many different literary styles from many different times in our history that tell of a love affair between God and his people, between a  people and their God.

           This belief allows the scriptures to come alive and to grow in manner consistant with our increases in knowledge, understanding and moral growth.  After all, some of the statements in the bible  are in direct conflict of what we now know through science, observation and moral truths from the spirit of God that still speaks to us and engages us.

          So, do I believe that the world was created in 6 days? No, absolutely not. Is it possible? yes. Is it consistent with the evidence that God gives us and shows us? Certainly not. Yet the creation stories of the bible and similar stories of many other ancient civilizations express a truth about what we believe.

           It may be a long breath of an intro but lets look at just the first line of the scripture passage from today. It is not good that the man should be alone. This is wholly consistent with our beliefs and our lives. In the secular world, we routinely gather in groups. Family feasts, birthday parties, nights out with the guys, coworkers, etc.  It is normal to try and find "your one tue love" to spend time with and to love. In any major religion, worship is a communal celebration, not solitary. In the Catholic church, all the sacraments, save reconciliation are all based on the community but even reconciliation is open to the very popular "communal penance service". We are always and forever a social creature. This truth is spoken of in this one line from Genesis.

         On another level, the creation story does speak of our search for our one true love. We search for the love and support of another. That is true whether you are straight or gay. In this respect, I find that marriage equality is not just a social construct, it is not only about civil rights, all of which is absolutely true. The creation reading makes the love of two a religious norm and right. This point would be heatedly contested by biblical literalists in reference to the gay community. I will let such arguments to John Corvino and Maggie Gallagher to duke out. 

           This reading helps me know in my heart that not only is my marriage legally recognized but recognized as a sacrament of love by my creator as well. 

           Let the love fest begin !