Word to the Wise
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 - Tuesday in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gen 1:20—2:4a and Mark 7:1-13]"God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the gish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth." [Genesis]
The great French philosopher, Voltaire, once wrote: "In the beginning God created man in his own image, and man has been trying to repay the favor ever since!" Few passages in the Bible have had more influence and caused more controversy than the passage quoted above. Volumes of theology continue to be written. I can only add a tiny squeak to the many loud voices! I'll just ask some questions for reflection.
"In his own image!" When we look in the mirror, do we see the image of God? Victor Hugo once wrote, "To love another is to see the face of God!" Can we see God in the face of someone else? After all, Jesus says in Matthew 25, "As often as you did it to the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it to me."
"Male and female, he created them." This passage is at the root of so much controversy. The question of "gender identity" is in full ferment and there is yet a lot to learn. How can we respond pastorally and mercifully and not with condemnation?
"Fill the earth and subdue it." After gender identity, can there be a bigger question than the environment. Pope Francis has spoken eloquently about this in his encyclicals Laudato si' and Laudate Deum. What can we say in the face of catastrophic weather, pandemics, extinct species, polluted air and water, giant holes where rapacious mining has occurred?
Yes, the Word of God, from the "Beginning," confronts us with accountability for our "subduing" the earth. Genesis is not just a quaint, beautiful piece of literature! It is the voice of the Creator! Are we listening? AMEN