The Mystery of Everything – a Lent course based around the film ‘The Theory of Everything’

Week 1: The experience of Wonder

It’s not easy to give reflections without having the film, ‘The Theory of Everything’, based on a book by Jane Hawking with her story of hers and Stephen’s life together, but for those of you who haven’t seen it or don’t have the opportunity to join with the Tuesday evening (7.30 pm) or Wednesday lunchtime (1.00 pm) groups – here are some thoughts for consideration and for conversation.

Lent is a time when we can deepen and broaden our faith. There is so much we can’t explain within our world. How do we come to terms with mystery and faith? We may find that there are more questions than answers.

People, in different ways, experience awe and wonder and delight. This is seen in the film for both Stephen and Jane Hawking. For Stephen we see it as he looks at the potential of an empty blackboard. For Jane, it’s the wonder of God. For both together the wonder of finding each other and the beauty of the night sky. Take a minute or two to think of a moment or event in your life that you remember as being really wonderful or magical. Maybe share that thought with someone else.

You may be an artist or a scientist or neither, but you probably experience life to a greater or lesser extent either imaginatively and intuitively or primarily with reason and logic. Think about it. How do you see yourself?

In the film Stephen claims that ‘a physicist can’t allow his calculations to be muddled by a belief in a supernatural creator.’ Does he have a point? Is it necessary to separate out science and religion as completely different spheres, and if so why?

There are many scientists, including those involved in the same areas of research as Stephen Hawking, who would say that this leads them closer to God, not further away. Think about this for a while and reflect on your own experience.

It has been claimed that some people are attracted to religion in order to approach mystery, while others come into it in order to escape mystery.

• Would you say that you came into Christianity to approach mystery or to find certainties?
• Or was it neither or both?
• Has your approach changed over time?

Take a minute or two to think of an experience that led you to something beyond earthly experience, to a connection with God. Maybe share this with someone.

Reflect – either on your own or together with someone else – on Psalm 8.

Psalm 8

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 that you care for them?

Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honour.
You have given them dominion
over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You may use these reflections on your own or take the opportunity to share with one or two others. You will find yourself on a journey to somewhere you may not yet recognise.

To the Pilgrim

Set out!
You were born for the road.
Set out!
You have a meeting to keep.
Where? With whom? Perhaps with yourself.
Set out!
Your steps will be your words –
The road your song,
the weariness your prayers.
And at the end your silence will speak to you.

Set out!
Alone, or with others – but get out of yourself!
You have created rivals – you will find companions.
You envisaged enemies – you will find brothers and sisters.

Set out!
Your head does not know
where your feet are leading your heart.

Set out!
You were born for the road – the pilgrim’s road.
Someone is coming to meet you – is seeking you
in the shrine at the end of the road –
in the shrine in the depths of your heart.
He is your peace.
He is your joy!
Go! God already walks with you!

Anonymous

With thanks to Hilary Brand ‘The Mystery of Everything’ and the CTBI Lent resource ‘Pilgrimage’.