“Then God said: Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky…This is the story* of the heavens and the earth at their creation.” (Gen 1:20-2:4a)
The first creation story is a rich narrative. It addresses human dignity, the nuptial mystery (how the creation of man and woman in God’s image and likeness and their fruitful relationship reflects the mystery of God’s relationship with us), and the harmony of creation and our need to “exercise dominion” over it as stewards. But let us focus here on the seventh day of creation as key to the meaning and purpose of creation.
The first creation story is a rich narrative. It addresses human dignity, the nuptial mystery (how the creation of man and woman in God’s image and likeness and their fruitful relationship reflects the mystery of God’s relationship with us), and the harmony of creation and our need to “exercise dominion” over it as stewards. But let us focus here on the seventh day of creation as key to the meaning and purpose of creation.
Scripture scholars recognize the symbolic numerical structure of this creation story, particularly its creation over a week. This need not be interpreted too literally, for seven is a deeply symbolic number in scripture, signifying perfection. In the end, the meaning of the story is that the harmony and beauty of creation has its origins in the orderly creative act of God. The world was not made by chance; it is the product of the Word (Logos) of God (Jn 1:1-3), who is love itself (1 Jn 4:7-16).
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger further notes that the words “God said” occur ten times, which tells us that this creation story anticipates the Decalogue, and likewise the Decalogue echoes creation. Ultimately, both creation and the Decalogue are ordered to entering into God’s rest, God’s peace, God’s presence. That is why creation culminates in God’s rest on the seventh day. It is the worship of the one God that frees us from idolatry and the slavery of sin, and allows us to recognize the logic and meaning of creation (CCC 2097). Creation “fulfills its purpose and assumes its significance when it is lived, ever new, with a view to worship.”
So we must worship God not simply in song, but by living morally. This means taking care of people, especially the poor, and exercising stewardship over creation. In the name of profit, people, who are made in God’s image and likeness, and the natural resources of God’s creation can be exploited. The more we worship God in the Holy Spirit and in the truth of the Gospel, the more we will be able to bring about freedom and harmony and peace.
We are taught to pray for God’s will to be done “on earth as it is in heaven.” This creation story tells us that God designs the world to be life-giving, harmonious, peaceful, orderly. We are invited by faith to preach the Gospel “to all creation” (Mk 16:15), and in so doing “order” the world to be on earth as it is in heaven.
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger further notes that the words “God said” occur ten times, which tells us that this creation story anticipates the Decalogue, and likewise the Decalogue echoes creation. Ultimately, both creation and the Decalogue are ordered to entering into God’s rest, God’s peace, God’s presence. That is why creation culminates in God’s rest on the seventh day. It is the worship of the one God that frees us from idolatry and the slavery of sin, and allows us to recognize the logic and meaning of creation (CCC 2097). Creation “fulfills its purpose and assumes its significance when it is lived, ever new, with a view to worship.”
So we must worship God not simply in song, but by living morally. This means taking care of people, especially the poor, and exercising stewardship over creation. In the name of profit, people, who are made in God’s image and likeness, and the natural resources of God’s creation can be exploited. The more we worship God in the Holy Spirit and in the truth of the Gospel, the more we will be able to bring about freedom and harmony and peace.
We are taught to pray for God’s will to be done “on earth as it is in heaven.” This creation story tells us that God designs the world to be life-giving, harmonious, peaceful, orderly. We are invited by faith to preach the Gospel “to all creation” (Mk 16:15), and in so doing “order” the world to be on earth as it is in heaven.