We Are All Just Stars

-

Photo:  (c) 2018 Rev. Linda M. Rhinehart Neas

We have calcium in our bones, iron in our veins, 
carbon in our souls, and nitrogen in our brains. 
93 percent stardust, with souls made of flames, 
we are all just stars that have people names. 
~ Nikita Gill, (from 93 Percent Stardust) ~

When I read Nikita Gill's quote, it struck a chord. Ever since Carl Sagan first mentioned that we humans were "made of star stuff," I have loved the image - the idea that something so foreign, so spectacular, so utterly mysterious as a star could be part of who we are.

Since Sagan's commentary, scientists have proven that we are, indeed, made of star dust. The same bits of elements that have hurtled through space since the Big Bang, have contributed to creating all that exists, including us.

"With souls made of flames..."  This line recalled images of mystics, the Holy Spirit and the Sacred Heart.  After all, flame has long been used to portray all of these. In fact, poets and writers have used fire/flame/spark as a metaphor for our souls, our essence and our faith.

For example, the flaming chalice is the symbol used by Unitarians. Open to various interpretations, it is symbolic of the warmth of gathering, the light of reason, and the flame of hope or truth.  
 
Furthermore, like many other cultures, Zoroastrians see flame as symbolic of purity as well as symbolic of the Divine's light and wisdom.

Pondering on all of this, I am hit with how the enormity of this concept seems to elude most of us.  Surely, if we recognized that each of us, no matter how limited, no matter how advanced, no matter how diverse is made of the same elements as the stars themselves, then we would be less judgmental, more compassionate and kinder. Right?  

If we attempt to see the Divine Spark within each person we meet, it would help us connect with them. We would be more able to look past their foibles. We would also be able to stoke that flame by giving our love, our understanding to them. 

After all, "we are all just stars that have people names." 

Blessings!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bible Sisters

-
Image
As a child, Bible stories fascinated me. I tried to imagine what it was like to live in times so long ago. Rarely, however, did I ever see any connection to what happened in ancient times with what was happening in my life. After all, my world was close to 2000 years older and far from the lands of Pharaohs and Roman invaders.  As I grew, I learned to see the lessons within Scripture. But, again, I found it difficult to connect to these men who battled giants or spoke eloquent words in the Temple. The only women I remember mentioned were few and far between. How I wished there was more for a woman to connect with in the Bible. A few weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of receiving a copy of Bible Sisters by Rev. Gennifer Benjamin Brooks in the mail. Bible Sisters is a 365-day devotional that includes the well-known women of the Bible (Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Rebecca, Mary, Martha...) as well as those we know little about and who often go unnamed like Hagar or the Widow of Zar...
Read more

Whispers

-
Image
Photo Credit: (c) 2018 Linda M. Rhinehart Neas When I was, as my mother would say, a wee sprout, I had my first experience with hearing that soft whisper that has warned me, inspired me, and on occasion, nagged me. Perhaps because I was raised in a household where being "fey" was looked at as normal, I never questioned that this was not real.  I can't tell you what the first thing I "heard" was, but I do remember talking to my mother about it when I was about six years old. We had had a lesson in school where sister had told the class about a saint who heard "the whispers of the angels." I asked Momma if that was who was speaking to me.  I still remember her looking very seriously into my eyes and saying, "Lindy, it might be angels, it might be what artists call the muse, or it might be what some people call, 'the voice of your ancestors or guides.' I don't know, but I do know you need to listen and pay attention to what you he...
Read more

Ministering Without a Church

-
Image
Over the past few days, several people have asked me where my church is.  Honestly, I stumble over answering this question.  My "church" is the world. But, when I say that, people take a step back and look at me with shock or suspicion.  When I answer that I don't have one, they apologize and begin listing all the churches they know looking for ministers. In reality, I am not a minister to one denomination or faith path, which means I do not have a pulpit from which I preach every Sunday.  I am an ordained interfaith/interspiritual minister.  Ministry within this context is far-reaching. Ministry literally means serving others. This may be accomplished through a community of like-minded individuals within the confines of a building, but "the church" is not a building.  The Church is the people that gather together. Therefore, my "church" is wherever people gather and are in need.  This may mean the mother who is exhausted from chasing toddlers...
Read more