# First Sunday of Lent – Seeking God, Finding God
*2009-01-27*

> Bill Young reflects on the Genesis rainbow covenant, urging listeners to consider how their Lenten practice can honor our part of the agreement to care for creation.

## The Rainbow as a Reminder to God

Today's Gospel reading is from Genesis 9:13‑15: “I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth, the bow is seen in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant.” We all know the story of Noah and the promise that the world will never again be destroyed by flood. What is surprising about this passage is that the rainbow seems intended as a reminder to God, not merely to us.

## A Covenant with One Side Missing

A covenant is an agreement between two parties, yet the Genesis text presents it as one‑sided. Today we hold in our hands the power to destroy the world—whether through nuclear weapons or the slow neglect of our planet. We have forgotten that the rainbow was more than a sign of promise; it was a sign of a covenant that requires our participation.

## A Lenten Practice for the Earth

For this Lenten season, choose one concrete practice that helps preserve our planet. You might pray daily for peace, reduce beef consumption to slow rainforest loss, drink tap water instead of bottled, or limit unnecessary car trips. The specific choice is less important than committing to it faithfully.

## Prayer of the Day

God of the covenant, keep me faithful to my part of our agreement. Amen.

*Our small, faithful actions together can honor the covenant and protect God’s creation.*