Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
The first chapter of the Book of Genesis details the seven days of creation, one of many rather different accounts of creation in the Old Testament. The late Pope Benedict XVI made it clear that we need not take this text literally. On the other hand, he was also clear that science alone cannot explain everything. God has made himself known in creation. So, from this text of Genesis let us continue to reflect on the truths which God wants us to grasp regarding Himself and the world around us and within us. Today:
The Seven Days of Creation | Day 5 | Let The Waters Teem (Genesis 1:20)
On this fifth day, life appears. The emergence of life has a certain element of mystery. This is not to say that our scientists may not come to a clearer explanation of the series of causes leading up to life from non-life. We need to use our God-given intelligence to pursue such knowledge. As said, as Catholics we believe in the congruence of faith and reason, not their opposition. Still, we also believe that behind it all is God’s desire to share his own life.
Saint Paul, calling to task those who do not see the Creator behind the creation, makes this comment: “For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God made it evident to them. Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made” (Romans 1:19-20). Or as the Psalmist notes: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the works of his hands” (Psalm 19:2). The existence of living beings should lead us to the one who is life itself, our God.
The real beauty of life is that God desires more life. He told the air and sea creatures: “Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth” (Genesis 1:22). This same direction will be given to the new humans. Life seeks more life. This is a yearning planted in life by God himself. It means that ultimately all life is seeking the destiny of eternity.
I am sometimes asked if dogs go to heaven. I never get asked about cats. My response is I don’t know what happens but that I am convinced that nothing good is ever lost to God. How he preserves that goodness is in his hands. But life seeks more life. Life wants to share life.
Sisters and brothers, we are surrounded by all kinds of forces which attack life. In fact, for many of us this has become almost routine and acceptable. We need to break through our indifference and see the beauty of all living things. We must recognize that needless and vicious attacks on life do not accord with God’s creation and the destiny which he has set for this cosmos.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+ Earl Boyea
Bishop of Lansing
