Fr. Joseph Boyle talks about how nature can offer us insight into who God is, who we are, and the prayer union between us. He sees chapter one as the big bang, development of galaxies, stars, our solar system, and the origin and evolution of life on earth. In chapter two is the incarnation. God becomes one of us.

As the sun is for earth, Christ is for us. And as the earth reflects the light, warmth, and radiance of the sun, so our role is to reflect the light, warmth, and radiance of God. However, earth has no choice but to reflect the light of the sun, while we have freedom. We can let the light of the Son pass us by or choose to respond. Fr. Boyle credits Dominican Sister Margaret Galiardi and Judy Cannato's book "Radical Amazement" for these thoughts.

On July 30, 2010, Fr. Boyle, Abbot of St. Benedict's Monastery, Snowmass, Colorado, gave this talk at their retreat center to the Contemplative Outreach Circle of Friends.

For information, support and resources on the contemplative practice of Centering Prayer, go to Contemplative Outreach at https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org.