In the musical Zorba, based on the famous Nikos Kazantzakis book, Zorba the Greek, there is a song called ‘The First Time.’ In this song Zorba sings that he has often heard a bouzouki, but each time is the first time. He has often looked at a flower, but each time is the first time. He has often been attracted to a woman, but each time is the first time.

            Perhaps that is what is so wonderful about kids, who see things truly for the first time, often awakening in us adults a new sense of enthusiasm and awe. Not just for Zorba, but for everyone, the ability to experience something as if for the first time can enrich our lives.

            And that is what happened over this past weekend when I saw the full moon. It was great and glorious. I looked at it in the Sunday night sky, again very early on Monday morning, and then again a little later when it was orange in the western sky as the rising sun gave a red glow in the east.

            Each time it was as if I have never seen a full moon before. I stopped and looked at its fullness and brightness. And I even tried to see the man in the moon.

            Looking at that moon in all its mystery as if I had never seen the moon before, I resolved to look at each man, woman and child for the first time, no matter how often I have see that person before.

“When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place –

What are humans that you are mindful of them,

mere mortals that you care for them?”

Psalm 8:4-5