In His Image

Readings for Tuesday February 8, 2011

First Reading: Genesis 1:20-2:4a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 8
Gospel: Mark 7:1-13


Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.”
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 fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.” God also said: “See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food.” And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed–the sixth day. (Gen. 1:26-31)

Do you ever watch animal planet? I am always amazed at the many creatures of this earth. It is amazing how birds are made perfectly for flight, or how cheetahs are built with great speed. One of my favorite animals are frogs, they spend the first part of their lives with gills, and then they grow and develop lungs so that they no longer need to live in the water. In today's continuation of the creation story we read about the many animals that God made and blessed. God in His great wisdom created some of the most diverse and amazing creatures that we just seem to look with awe at. We also read of something even more amazing than the creatures that He created; we also read about the creation of man and woman. It says in the book of Genesis, "God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them." Doesn't that just make you feel so special and so loved?!

If it doesn't, then let me share some interesting facts with you:
-There are over 400,000 known plant species
-Over 750,000 species of insects have been described
-There are between 9,000 - 10,000 species of birds
-There are about 4,000 - 5,000 mammals

God created a great diversity of plants and animals, but He only created one thing in His likeness, and that is you and me. Our God is truly and amazing and awesome God and is deserving of all our time and our worship. Think about all that we are blessed with, we must remember that it is all a great gift of God and that we must have a heart of thanksgiving for our Lord and Savior.

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day. Lord we thank you and give you praise for all that we have and all that we are. Help us to serve you without growing weary and to surrender ourselves totally to you. Lord we pray for all those in need of conversion and all those who are calling out to you. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.