God created man free and responsible CRANACH, Lucas the Elder Adam and Eve 1531 Lime wood, 170 x 69,5 cm Gemäldegalerie, Dresden God created man free and responsible 08 ©Fr. Mark Emman H. Sese

Compendium of the Catechism 66. In what sense do we understand man and woman as created “in the image of God”? 355-357  The human person is created in the image of God in the sense that he or she is capable of knowing and of loving their Creator in freedom. Human beings are the only creatures on earth that God has willed for their own sake and has called to share, through knowledge and love, in his own divine life. All human beings, in as much as they are created in the image of God, have the dignity of a person. A person is not something but someone, capable of self-knowledge and of freely giving himself and entering into communion with God and with other persons.

Introduction God forms the body with the cooperation of the parents, but creates the soul out of nothing, and infuses it into the body. As the Bible says, he has created us in His image and likeness (Gen 1: 26). What is man? For what has God created us? How are we to behave? God, once having created all other things, created man, Adam and Eve, from whom we all descend. God continues, in a special way, to create all members of the human race. God forms the body with the cooperation of the parents, but creates the soul out of nothing, and infuses it into the body. The soul is everlasting, and gives life to the body. All this means that each one of us has been individually created by God. He has thought of each one of us and has loved us from all eternity; and as a consequence of this love, He has created us, body and soul. Furthermore, as the Bible says, he has created us in His image and likeness (Gen 1: 26). What is man? For what has God created us? How are we to behave? These are the kind of questions we ask ourselves. This lesson looks into the answers.

Main ideas ©Fr. Mark Emman H. Sese

1. God created man with body and soul God formed man from the dust of the earth, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. With these simple words God is telling us that He formed man out of a pre-existing substance and then, from nothing, He directly created an individual soul and infused it into the body. Since the creation of Adam and Eve, the human body has been generated by the parents, but each individual human soul is infused into the body by the Creator, just as it was in the beginning. The Book of Genesis tells us that God formed man from the dust of the earth, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. With these simple words God is telling us that He formed man out of a pre-existing substance and then, from nothing, He directly created an individual soul and infused it into the body. Since the creation of Adam and Eve, the human body has been generated by the parents, but each individual human soul is infused into the body as the result of the direct intervention of the Creator, just as it was in the beginning. Michelangelo Creation of Adam (Detail) Capilla Sixtina, Vaticano

2. In God’s image and likeness How God’s image is reflected in man: The dignity of the human person. Man is an intelligent being. Man is a free being. God is Lord and Sovereign of the universe. God placed us on the earth so that we might govern and rule over it. Man is made in the image of God above all because of the gift of sanctifying grace. An artist is reflected in his art. Even if his work is unsigned, it can be said who did it, because the artist’s unique personality is reflected in his work. Man is created in God’s image. Let us see how God’s image is reflected in man: a) The dignity of the human person. Since man is created in the image and likeness of God, each member of the human race is raised to the dignity of person: man is not just something, he is somebody. Man is the only one of all earthly creatures whom God loves for and in himself. Each man and woman is called to participate in the divine life by means of growing in the knowledge and love of God. This is the purpose for which we were created, and this is the basis of our dignity. b) Man is an intelligent being. Animals do not have the ability to think, but man has the God-given capacity to think and to express thoughts through words. Human intelligence is a reflection of God’s intelligence. Animals praise God without any understanding of the fact. When man praises God he knows and reflects on what he is doing. c) Man is a free being. Animals are ruled by their instincts. Man can choose between good or evil; he can decide for himself whether or not to observe God’s commandments. God has granted man the capacity to choose freely. He has willed that we be free in order to choose the good. And because of this man is personally responsible for his use of the gift of freedom which God has given him. d) God is Lord and Sovereign of the universe. God placed us on the earth so that we might govern and rule over it. This is a stewardship which makes us participants in God’s power. e) Man is made in the image of God above all because of the gift of sanctifying grace. Among all the benefits God has given us, sanctifying grace, which is granted with baptism, is what most makes man reflect the image and likeness of God . Grace allows us to participate in God’s nature, elevating us to the dignity of the sons of God. MICHELANGELO Buonarroti Moses 1515 Marble, height 235 cm S. Pietro in Vincoli, Rome

3. Different but equal Men and women were created equal as human persons, but with morphological differences and psychological peculiarities. To be male or female is something willed by God. Men and women are both created in the image and likeness of God and hold the same dignity. God created them male and female. Men and women were created equal as human persons, but with morphological differences and psychological peculiarities. To be male or female is something willed by God. Men and women are both created in the image and likeness of God and hold the same dignity.

4. Man is responsible for his acts Matter or animals cannot be accounted responsible. Only man is responsible for his actions. We are responsible for what we have done, because we could have done something else. a) Matter cannot be accounted responsible. After an earthquake we cannot ask the earth why the quake took place: an earthquake occurs as a consequence of physical laws. b) Animals are not accounted responsible. If a horse kills its owner with a kick when the owner tries to heal a wound, the horse is not responsible because the horse does not know what it does; the horse acts, moved by instinct only. c) Only man is responsible for his actions. When we come home and are asked us what we have done during the day, we respond by describing the specific activities that we had engaged in. We are responsible for what we have done, because we could have done something else. BROUWER, Adriaen Peasants Fighting 1631-35 Oil on wood, 33 x 49 cm Alte Pinakothek, Munich

5. To do always the will of God We are called to pursue the will of God always and in everything we do. God’s commandments, the commandments of the Church, the obligations deriving from our age and condition. God helps us through those persons who have God’s grace to guide us: our parents, educators, and the priest to whom we usually go for confession. Examination of conscience. We are called to pursue the will of God always and in everything we do. God’s commandments, the commandments of the Church, the obligations deriving from our age and condition, show us what we are supposed to do for God, for others and for ourselves. There are times when it is not easy to know what God asks us in any particular situation. In this case God helps us through those persons who have God’s grace to guide us. These persons are our parents, educators, and the priest to whom we usually go for confession. The latter is especially well suited because he knows us well. If we get used to making an examination of conscience —brief but thorough— at the end of the day, we’ll know whether or not we are doing the will of God. ANDREA DEL SARTO The Sacrifice of Abraham 1527-28 Oil on poplar panel, 213 x 159 cm Gemäldegalerie, Dresden

Resolution for Christian Life ©Fr. Mark Emman H. Sese

Resolutions to move forward Give thanks to God, who has created us and looks after us with His loving Providence. Above all, take advantage of Holy Mass, which is an infinite act of thanksgiving. Be very sincere when going to confession and in the examination of conscience at night.