I went out last night and took a few pictures of the moon. I wanted to test my lens choice and bracket a few exposures to make sure that I could make a clear image. Tonight there will be a total lunar eclipse. That in combination with what is called a “supermoon” because of the distance between the moon and earth in its orbit and the phenomenon of the golden harvest moon should make for a spectacular evening of watching the heavens. It is also the fourth and final leg of a “lunar tetrad,” when four total eclipses occur six months apart. It is a relatively rare occurrence in the life of those who are fascinated by looking at the sky.

The forecast is “iffy.” The day is supposed to be partly cloudy with the possibility of rain showers beginning around 8 pm. Moonrise is 6:35, so we may get some good glimpses between the clouds. I was hoping for a totally clear sky, or one with low clouds like last night, but the weather is a factor that we can’t control and so we’ll take what we get.

The relatively recent divide between science and religion, arising in the late 19th and early 20th century has created a public perception that people of faith are somehow opposed to science. Some even claim that you have to deny scientific method and reject major scientific theories in order to life a life of faith.

That is certainly not my perspective. And it is not the long-term perspective of the church. Over the millennia the church has often been at the forefront of promoting scientific exploration and discovery.

Did you know that the Vatican maintains and observatory dedicated to furthering astronomical discoveries? In fact, Pope Francis just appointed a new director of the Vatican Observatory. The retiring director, George Coyne, is author of many books including “Wayfarers in the Cosmos: The Human Quest for meaning.” The new director, Guy Consolmagno was previously curator of meteorites for the vatican observatory. His books include “Brother Astronomer: Adventures of a Vatican Scientist and Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial?: and Other Questions from the Astronomers' In-box at the Vatican Observatory.”

Science and religion are not oppositional fields of human endeavor. Faith does not prevent one from engaging in serious scientific exploration and discovery. And there is nothing in scientific method that threatens religious faith. The dichotomy painted by a few extremists in the fundamentalist wing of the church is false. Science and religion go hand in hand. Discovery of more about this incredible universe in which we live expands our understanding of God.

As Pope Francis concludes his first visit to the United States with what might well be characterized as a rock star reception, people of faith in many different corners of the church have been looking on with excitement and joy. The visit has had some challenging words and some deep conversations about faith. But it has also had moments of sheer joy and celebration, friendship and laughter. We are delighted by a world religious leader with such an expansive collection of interests, who seems to be open to conversation on any topic and sees no place where his faith cannot take him. For Pope Francis there is no division of sacred and secular. He takes Psalm 24 to heart: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” There is nothing in this world that doesn’t reflect that goodness of God. Even in the midst of poverty or pain or grief or sadness, God is present. Even when we humans show our worst in crime and victimization, God stands with the victims bringing hope and new possibility.

I am not a Roman Catholic. There are many points of theological disagreement that make me different from the leaders in the Roman church. But the faith we share is the same. The Christ who is at the center of that faith is the same. Despite real differences, we have more in common than the details of those differences.

I like to think that amidst the busyness of his schedule, the Pope will find time this evening to gaze at the sky and see the brightness of the moon and the delightful colors it displays as the shadow of the earth passes across its face. I like to think that the experience of such beauty and the vastness of the universe is one we share. I like to think that we both delight in God’s creation. All of the evidence I can see makes me believe that this is true.

Much of our lives are invested in the ordinary. We have jobs to do, we have families to support, we have friendships to maintain. We often repeat actions that we have done before. The windows we wash today will be dirty again soon. The process will be repeated. The route I take to church today is the route that I’ve been taking for two decades. The process will be repeated. The scripture upon which my sermon is based was read three years ago and will be read three years from now. The process will be repeated.

But life is not about repetition only. Into the routines and ordinariness of our lives burst surprises and events that are unusual. The fourth lunar eclipse in a season of supermoon is a unique experience. We know it is coming, but we don’t yet know whether or not we will be able to see it. The universe is filled with surprises and opportunities to see something that we’ve never seen before. The surprises bring joy and excitement to our lives.

I hope you will join me in looking up tonight as the sun begins to set. We may be watching clouds and we may be watching the moon. Whatever we see, it seems likely that it will be something that we have never before seen.

Our discoveries are certain to strengthen, not weaken, our faith.

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