We pick up the creation story today in Genesis 1 on day five. God was awfully busy then, wasn’t He? On the sixth day, God created man; male and female he created them. More on that in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Mark 7, Jesus reprimands the Pharisees for teaching human traditions that “nullify the word of God.” The Pharisees were very rules oriented. But the rules they clung to were their rules, not God’s rules.
Back to our discussion now on creation. There has been much debate recently about creationism vs. evolution. Was the world and all that is in it created exactly as it says in Genesis? Or have animals evolved over time? And what does the Church say? Well, we certainly can’t cover all that in a minute. Here’s the bottom line…God created everything, and humans are distinct from all of God’s creation. Why? Because we are created in His image and likeness. “God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him.” So we are not just aunts and uncles of monkeys.
Those who believe and teach that we are nothing more than evolved from apes miss the most poignant moment in history. The moment when God created people in His image. Apes do not have an immortal soul. The other animals act only on instinct. They have not been given the ability to reason and exercise free will. So remember…you are not just a grown up monkey. You are a unique, masterpiece creation of God, created in His image and likeness. And there never has been, nor ever will be, another like you.
Father, we thank you for creating us in your image and likeness; for giving us an immortal soul, the power to reason and a free will. May we always use them for your glory. Amen.
In A Minute in the Church (Volume I) there is a chapter on Evolution. What does the Church say about it? Find out in a minute! Get it today at www.GusLloyd.com.
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