The Image of God

In the first reading today from Genesis 1, we see the rest of the story of creation. In the Gospel reading from Mark 7, Jesus talks about tradition. He says, “You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on.” These traditions that Jesus condemns are not the same thing as Sacred Tradition. Catholics believe that the deposit of truth lies in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. 

Genesis 1: “Then God said: ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.’ ” It goes on: “God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.” That’s powerful stuff! Read that again and again, and let that really sink in to your heart. YOU have been created in the divine image! And not only you, but every other human being on the planet.

You want to know why the Catholic Church is so pro-life? You’ve just read why. The Church believes what is written in Genesis 1. That every human being has been created in the divine image. And that alone is what gives each and every human being their intrinsic value. From the first moment of conception, human persons are created in the image and likeness of God. Unfortunately, too many people have forgotten this. They think that some people are just blobs of tissue. Others are not worthy of life because of a disability or illness or any number of things. We must get back to remembering this precept: We are all created in the image and likeness of God.

Father, forgive us for the times when we forget that all are created in your image. Help us to value every life, as though it belonged to you…because it does. Amen.

Today's Readings

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