The Easter Diaries(I)

Queen's Park Underground Station, London. From Wikepedia, the free Encyclopedia

By Louis Egbe Mbua

The Easter Season is almost over; with many returning to their various sojourn. As for Living Lights they were following the strict protocol of the Season. Good Friday was a day of rest, meditation , prayer on the meaning of the season; and the rituals that come with it. The day Christ died is considered amongst Christians as the day man's long promised eternal life began to be realised; and therefore Good Friday is usually maintained Holy.

On Saturday, however, Living Lights decided to explore the environs of London Town and to catch up with friends. The first stop over was at Queen's Park to visit the Very Important Female. There, Living Lights were treated as when we were kings. All kinds of gourmet was put in front of us. Living Lights enjoyed just enough as it is a matter of principle to maintain their timeless youth so as to achieve "eternal" life, at least before we finally complete our journey from this earth.

It was now time for lively discourses that we normally engage after dinner. An African brother, Michael, of mine also came to dinner; and he turned out to be a superb and intelligent debater. Having observed him keenly, and knowing that he possesses tons of talent to think logically and correctly, I decided to pose some of the most difficult questions that have been keeping my mind in turmoil since I arrived this planet on my first day:

"Now tell me, Michael, why did God create billions and billions of stars and planets and galaxies when there is absolutely no living thing in exactly all of them, well, as far as we know?"

Michael at first looked at me with bewilderment and visible perspiration. But he quickly gathered his composure and thoughts and answered with alacrity:

"Well, you have already answered the question by asking the question."

"What exactly do you mean? Can you explain further for I do not understand?" I protested.

"You see, there is no reason to create an infinite number of heavenly bodies if we can see no reason. The only reason God created the universe was for man. Consequently, everything in the Heavens and on earth was created for humans", he explained.

"If that were the case then, man owns the Universe since God created it for humans?" I asked

Micheal gave us a confidently sweeping glance and with a pixie smile answered:

"Not really. That the Universe was made for man does not equate to the statement that the Universe was made by man. These are completely different aspects. God made the Universe for man to live. At the same time, living in a house does not mean one owns it. You can only own the house if you built it with your own hands or buy it from the original builder. As a result, humans do not own one grain of sand or soil in the universe but they are free to live there. The only reason God created these countless objects was to reveal his power to humans so that they may look at them with wonder and understand the meaning of good, love, power and beauty."

"Well, if that were the case why then are they so far away? Surely there is not much point in placing all these beautiful objects beyond the reach and naked vision of the human physicality and eye respectively. As a result, I am not in full agreement with your last exposition", I said tentatively.

Michael gave a mischievous smile as if to indicate his triumph of reason over faith; and to heap emotional praise and self-congratulation on himself and replied:

"I thought you understand all things?"

"No, Not quite. Surely only God has infinite knowledge and wisdom." I answered

"Now", he continued," there are scientific reasons involved in this matter. God created the earth from wisdom and scientific principles so that the physical and natural world will co-exist in harmony; and that living things and beings would live the most comfortable life possible -- enough heat, cold, light, darkness, food, rain and sunshine. If we agree on these fundamental principles and elements, we must then reach the logical conclusion that one of the reasons God created the stars and heavenly bodies is to control these factors. Since we know that cold and heat, rain and sun, planting and harvest are controlled by the sun, which is a star, it follows that the entire stars in the Universe affect the sun's movements. The effect of the sun's movements on the earth which revolves around the sun; and the consequent effect of the stars on the movement of the sun provide us with the seasons. If these effects fail, it is almost certainly clear that we will be doomed. As a result, all matter in the Universe is important for the survival of man on this planet. We may therefore conclude, finally, that there are two reasons for the universe in relation to humans: life and beauty."

Living Lights were stunned by this near celestial answer from Michael. We didn't know what to say for no words were left in our mouth. But we had one trick up our sleeves. I therefore demanded:

"It is true that Jesus Christ resurrected; and that all Christians will follow the same route at the last day. Agreed?" Michael gave a gentle nod.

"Now, I continued, suppose everyone who knew every other one were to find themselves in heaven, would people recognise themselves as having lived on earth before?"

I will return to Michael to receive that answer in the next series.