In his poem “Conversion” Billy Collins dreams about reflecting for months on “a parable about a lost sheep or a blighted vineyard.” Our lectionary gives us a couple of weeks to reflect on the Book of Genesis..

The early theologian, Origen, taught catechumens in Caesarea Maritime on the coast of Palestine in the middle of the 3rd century. He’s not a learned scholar readying a book for publication. He’s teaching catechism to ordinary people who want to know something about the faith they’re drawn to.

“In the beginning God made heaven and earth. What is the beginning of all things except our Lord and Savior of all, Jesus Christ.” It’s not a beginning in time, Origen says, the beginning is Jesus Christ, through whom all things were made. The Word who became flesh, according to St. John.

We prefer today to look for the beginning science points out, without the Word. But the people Origen speaks to know nothing of modern science, yet they want to know what this world and their lives are all about. 

God made heaven and earth and you too, the Christian teacher says. You interact with heaven and earth, darkness and light, the waters above the earth and the waters that make the dry land fruitful. You came from chaotic darkness to your present home, the world you know. Don’t return to chaotic darkness. Follow the light that is Jesus Christ. You were made in his image and he calls you on to a heavenly world.

We belong to the earth, which is no longer dry land. We’re to bring forth fruits from the earth, not thorns and thistles, but fruits for the glory of God and for his blessing. We’re to bring forth fruits that are seed bearing, providing for a good future. “The earth in each of us is called to bear fruit according to our potential, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Our lives are meant to be seed-bearing. 

Sun and moon shine in our world. They also shine in us– Christ and his church. Stars are alight in our sky– saints are stars that light up our worlds. Stars differ, star from star, and so do we, one from another. This world is meant to be alight, so Jesus tells us, his disciples, to be light in our world.

All of us are called to approach God who made us. We don’t come the same, but each one comes “ according to one’s ability.” “Those who approach God receive much more of his life.” Martha and Mary approached Jesus in different ways. His apostles received light from him that was not given to the crowds listening at a distance. Those who share in his trials receive a special blessing. All of us, though, must approach God who made us.

Yes, the world God created is good, Origen tells his hearers, but good as it is, it can try us and tempt us.  Caesarea Maritime was a major seaport north of Joppa, where Jonah began his perilous encounter with a whale. For Origen’s hearers the sea was mostly a dangerous place, but it had to be travelled. From the story of creation he offers the birds and the creeping animals from the waters as symbols of the drives to good and evil in us all.

The birds are heavenly creatures, good graces and thoughts, that lift us to the heavens. Follow them.The creeping animals from the waters, especially the whales, are the evil inclinations– gigantic pride, hidden lust, unpredictable anger– that can drown us in the sea, where Satan dwells. Beware of them.

Not a view science or biblical exegetes would offer, is it? But Origen’s hearers in Caesarea Maritime would likely remember his teaching as they looked at the heavens, waited for the harvest and ventured out to sea. He was a good catechist.

He reads Genesis as a catechist would. We are made in the image of God. “ What image are we made in but the image of our Savior, who ‘is the firstborn of every creature,” (Colossians 1:15) “I am in the Father, and the Father is in me.”  “He who sees me sees the Father.” Jesus says about himself (John 14) . “Father, grant that just as you and I are one, they may be one in us.” he prays (John 17). We are called into the mystery of the Trinity.

Out of compassion the Word became flesh to restore the image of God in us, which we put aside. Now we need to draw near to Jesus Christ, who helps us grow in his image.

Like many of the ancient Christian writers, Origen can lose you at times in thought patterns we’re not used to. But there’s a reason great teachers and theologians like him still make sense. Truth is not confined to the last 20 minutes.