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March 7-14, 2007

Asteroid to come close to Earth in 2036—very close!

Warm-up Question:

What dreams, goals, hopes, or life changes are you putting off to the future?

  

Scientists, astronauts, and engineers say an asteroid named 99942 Apophis that will pass within 20,000 miles of the Earth on April 13, 2029 and may come dangerously close to colliding with the Earth in 2036. The odds of an impact occurring in 2036 are estimated at 1 in 45,000, and astronomers are urging the United Nations to assume responsibility for a mission to deflect it as soon as possible. “It’s not just Apophis we’re looking at. Every country is at risk. We need a set of general principles to deal with this issue,” said Russell Schweickart, an Apollo 9 astronaut. He and others are pushing the United Nations to adopt policies regarding possible Earth impacts.

Dealing with a potentially deadly space rock is a difficult and expensive procedure. In one proposed solution, astronauts would dispatch a spacecraft that would use a “gravity tractor” to slowly pull the asteroid out of the path with the Earth. For an Apophis-size asteroid, about 1,000 feet in length and traveling about 28,000 miles per hour, it would take about 12 days and $300 million dollars to shift its course. Taking early action would significantly reduce the amount of energy needed to change the course of the asteroid. The effect of taking no action and allowing the asteroid to hit the Earth would depend on the angle of the impact.

The asteroid Apophis was discovered in June 19, 2004. It was originally designated as asteroid 2004 MN4 and renamed “Apophis” in July 2005. Apophis is the Greek name of the Ancient Egyptian god Apep, “the Destroyer.”
 

Additional information on asteroid 99942 Apophis:

 

Discussion Questions

  1. If an asteroid was going to hit the Earth tomorrow what would you do today?
  2. What do you think United Nations should do about asteroid safety? (Space junk is also a concern when it reenters the atmosphere.)
  3. What changes would you make in your life if you knew Apophis was going to hit in 2036 and that no one was going to do anything about it?
  4. Do you think that God allows for things like this to happen? Why or why not?

Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, March 11, 2007.
(Text links are to oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings.)

Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm 63:1-8
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection
In the Gospel text Jesus tells those around him that “unless they repent they will perish.” This is a difficult text for those of us reading it. Unless we repent we will perish?! Following this statement Christ tells us the parable of the fig tree that is producing no fruit. The gardener pleads for the tree and asks for one more year. In what ways are God and Christ like this story of the fig tree? Often we go through years where we don’t produce fruit. We live selfishly. We don’t help our neighbors. We hurt and abuse other people. Christ pleads for us with his Father; he says give them another chance. We get chances, but how far can we go with those chances?

How many chances do we get? In 1 Corinthians 10:11-13 we’re told:

“These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.”

This is the only life that we get. How can we use it for God’s glory? We will endure difficulties, but Christ tells us that even if those difficulties are self inflicted that he will plead another chance. If those are not self-inflicted, God will provide a way for us. It is wonderful how we are pushed to live life fully every day, and, at the same time, promised that Christ will advocate for us and God will not allow us to be tested beyond our strength. We can live carefully, but without worry of failure. Today’s the only day we get. We can live in peace knowing that we get to make our own choices and know that God will not give us more then we can handle.

Discussion Questions

  1. What one thing keeps you from doing what God might be calling you to do?
  2. Do you fear that things that happen to other people will happen to you?
  3. How do you reconcile within yourself when “bad things happen to good people” on this Earth? What do you think happens to those people? What promises does the Bible give us when bad things happen?
  4. How does God help you handle the difficult stuff in your life? (e.g., caring friends, prayer, scripture, youth group, parents, a counselor or teacher, an inner sense of hope and faith, etc.)

Activity Suggestions

  1. Have students create a list of all the things they enjoy and value in their world. Ask them to write these randomly over an entire piece of paper. Examples include: individual family member names, soda pop, school, freedom, and television.
  2. When completed on the sheet of paper, ask students to fold the sheet in half, then in half again, and one more time in half.
  3. Instruct them to rip the folded paper in half. Following this, put the half in their right hand in their back pocket. Unfold the half that was in their left hand.
    • What have they lost?
    • How do they feel having lost it?
    • How will God provide a way through and after adversity?

  Closing Prayer
Blessed Savior, we thank you for our time on this earth and we know that it’s limited. Please help us to use this precious short time for the glory of you and your Father. Teach us to appreciate all that we have and all that we have to offer, each and every day. In your wonderful name. Amen
 

Contributed by Angie Larson
Clive, IA
 

Permission to reproduce for local use. Copyright © 2007 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. ELCA Youth Ministries. 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2447. To offer your comments or responses to Faith Lens, e-mail:  rod.boriack@elca.org.

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