O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals[a] that you care for them?
Psalm 8:1-4 NRSV
A group of astronomers at the University of British Columbia appears to be intent on blowing our minds, reporting that on the basis of their using NASA's Kepler space telescope there could be as many as six billion Earth-like planets which could host life in our galaxy alone. That is, like, cosmic, man. This is both exciting and humbling, from my perspective. I have no problem with the concept that we are not alone in the universe and that as well as other intelligent life there could be superior beings. If the Trump era has taught us anything it is that applying the term "intelligent life" to humans can be a stretch at times.
From a Christian perspective I'm content that the God who has entered into earthly existence in the person of Jesus, the Christ, could be equally inventive in other solar systems and planets. Christian writers have mused about these possibilities, including CS Lewis in his sci-fi trilogy.
The prospect of six billion inhabitable planets puts the hubris of a a few billionaires circling the Earth for an hour or so at a time in perspective, doesn't it? Perhaps our interplanetary cousins have visited, seen what a mess we're making of this gem and decided to pass on meaningful contact!
In the meantime, we can look at the night sky during August and take it the Perseid Meteor Shower with a sense of awe and wonder and gratitude to the Creator al all.
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