Yayoi Kusama, a female Japanese artist once remarked: “With just one polka dot, nothing can be achieved. In the universe, there is the sun, the moon, the earth, and hundreds of millions of stars. All of us live in the unfathomable mystery and infinitude of the universe. Pursuing 'philosophy of the universe' through art under such circumstances has led me to what I call 'stereotypical repetition.'” Romans 12:2 reminds us: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
A palindrome is defined as a word, name, sentence, verse, or even number that reads the same backwards or forward. It derives from Greek roots that literally mean “running back” (palin is “again, back,” and dromos, “running.”) Palindromes are frequently used everyday without one thinking about it. Common words include: noon, civic, racecar, level, even mum and dad. The Finnish word for “soapstone vendor” is supposedly the longest palindrome in everyday use: saippuakivikauppias. Palindrome dates, which also read the same backward and forward, are often associated with spiritual symbolism, representing harmony, balance, and cosmic order. Some believe these dates offer a unique opportunity for new beginnings, spiritual awakening, or increased awareness of one's path.
For some, palindrome words or numbers are considered to be both rich and lucky in content. Dates are deemed so rare that they are believed to contain importance and luck. Palindromes are considered inherently repetitive. A common symmetry about life's repetitive nature is reflected in the lessons of life. Lessons are often said to be repeated until learned. This suggests that one encounters similar challenges or situations multiple times until it is grasped. The underlying principle being realized or overcome. Another perspective shows that "Life is a repeated cycle of getting lost and then finding yourself again," highlighting the cyclical nature of experiences and growth.
While palindromes themselves don't "create" life, they play a significant role in the processes that are essential for life, particularly in DNA replication and gene expression. Palindromic sequences in DNA can form structures like hairpins and cruciforms, which can affect how DNA is read and copied. These structures can be both beneficial and detrimental, influencing the stability of the genome and the creation of new genes.
Eve is an important palindromic name of life. In the context of human lineage, "Eve" refers to the Mitochondrial Eve, the matrilineal most recent common ancestor of all living humans. She is not a repeated figure in the sense of individual people, but rather a specific point in the lineage of all humans alive today. Her counterpart in the male line is the Y-chromosomal Adam. In a different context, the biblical Eve, the first woman in Abrahamic religions, is a foundational figure in their creation myths. In the biblical story of Genesis, Eve is created by God as the first woman and Adam's companion, after God determined it wasn't good for Adam to be alone. In the Bible, Eve is named Eve by Adam because she is understood to be the "mother of all living". This name, derived from the Hebrew word "Chavah," signifies "life" or "to give life". She lives with Adam in the sinless Garden of Eden, where they are instructed not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. A serpent tempts Eve, convincing her to eat the forbidden fruit, and she shares it with Adam.
This act of disobedience, known as the Fall of Man, leads to their expulsion from the Garden of Eden and introduces sin and suffering into the world. Genesis 3:1-21 reminds us: “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked.
And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go,and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”
And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust,
and to dust you shall return.” The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.”
While life in the literal sense cannot be a palindrome, there are metaphorical and even biological aspects where the concept of reversibility or repetition can be applied. Comebacks can potentially return one to a former state and possibly create a new life. Tony Evans, an American pastor and orator once remarked: “Comebacks don't seem likely when your back is up against the wall and your hope is depleted. But if you will stay the course, you will discover God's power to reverse the irreversible in your life.” Job 14:14 reminds us: “If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my service I would wait, till my renewal should come.” A "new life with God" typically refers to a spiritual transformation where a person embraces faith, often through a relationship with Jesus Christ (in Christianity), or through devotion to Allah (in Islam), or through other spiritual practices. This transformation involves a shift in perspective, values, and purpose, often leading to a change in behavior and a desire to live according to God's will. It's seen as a new beginning, and could become a unique palindrome, a spiritual rebirth, and a path towards a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Galatians 2:20 describes a believer's union with Christ through faith, resulting in a transformed life where Christ lives within them. It signifies a death to the old, self-centered way of living and a rising to a new life empowered by Christ's presence and lived by faith in Him. It reminds us: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Amen.
