Eclipse

 April 7, 2024

Tomorrow is Eclipse Day, and we are right in the middle of its path. Our county government has expended much time and energy (and probably money) promoting this as a tourist bonanza for the area. We are just hoping our normal overcast skies don’t foil the entire enterprise. However it plays out, it’s been interesting to me to read the prognostications and pronouncements of certain Christians regarding the eclipse as a sign from God of apocalyptic proportions.

While Jesus did tell us that in the last days there would be signs in the skies (“the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” —Matthew 24:29 ), he also told us not to consult them as if they had power to shape our lives. Some of the commentary I’ve read from Christian sources comes awfully close to an occultic interpretation of the heavens. God alone knows our future, and has not relinquished it to any of his Creation.

So enjoy the hoopla, get out your special glasses and revel in the wonder of one of the more unusual works of God. And don’t forget to give him thanks and praise for it all. Myself, I’ll be witnessing it in the company of one of my college roommates whose 75th birthday is tomorrow. He’s sporting a sweatshirt declaring the eclipse as his birthday present from the universe. Lucky guy! Happy birthday, Don!