The Rainbow Covenant
“I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations. 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 and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature ol all flesh that is on the earth.”
~ Genesis 9:11-16
A woman who loved rainbows went on a summer retreat. As she walked by water sprinklers that sent drops sparkling into the sunlight, she saw the rainbows the made and their beauty brought her up short. She had been feeling quite burdened and alone, and the rainbows powerfully spoke to her of God’s continuing care. What are you reminded of when you see a rainbow in the clouds?
~ The Spiritual Formation Bible
The rainbow has become a sign of the acceptance of all people by God and by some communities of faith. It was used during the civil rights movement to indicate a coalition of persons of differing racial identity. It is used today as a symbol of unity among persons of various sexual orientations. It is a sign of God’s continued presence and love.
As a green bud in the springtime
is a sign of life renewed,
so may we be signs of oneness
‘mid earth’s peoples, many hued.
As a rainbow lights the heavens
when a storm is past and gone,
may our lives reflect the radiance
of God’s new and glorious dawn.
~ Ruth Duck
It is water and light interacting with each other that forms the prism of color that we call a rainbow. Jesus called himself “the living water” and “the light of the world.” As followers of Jesus, we too must become a sign of the good news of peace, love and justice proclaimed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.
God of the rainbow
God of the cross
God of the empty grave
How does the creature say Grace
How does the creature say Thanks.
~ Jaroslav J. Vajda
The Lord is good and does the right thing; he teaches sinners which way they should go.
God guides the weak to justice, teaching them his way.
All the Lord’s paths are loving and faithful for those who keep his covenant and laws.
~ Psalm 25:8-10
These reflections are for use during the week of February 21-27, 2021 and based on the lectionary for February 21.
Joyce D. Sohl
Joyce D. Sohl has been Laywoman-in-Residence since 2009 as a full-time volunteer. She retired as CEO of United Methodist Women in 2004. She is the author of 4 books, a teacher, retreat leader, writer and non-professional musician. Here at the Center her work is in the area of Spirituality & the Arts with such programs as Tuesdays in the Chapel, Vespers & All That Jazz, Poet’s Corner, quarterly retreats, and art exhibits.