Readings: Genesis 1:20-2:4; Psalm 8; Mark 7:1-13
In the First Reading of today, we have three significant matters arising.
I. The creation of the human person in God’s image.
II. The delegated authority that God gave to them to be a responsible steward of the earth and everything therein.
III. The history of the Sabbath rest.
Today, let’s reflect on the creation of the human person in God’s image.
We are created in God’s image not so much in the physical sense of resemblance but in a deeper sense.
We are created with an immortal soul (God’s breath/spirit in us).
We are created with intellect and memory, i.e., the capacity to reason, to know what is right from what is wrong and to remember things.
We are created with freedom of will; the ability to choose between what is right and wrong.
We are created for fellowship, just like God. We can relate with God and others, just as the communion in the Trinity.
We are created to reflect God’s perfect character, His holiness and righteousness.
What’s the implication of these? I will just draw four implications.
A. Because we are created in the image of God, we have a responsibility to continue to reflect the image and the likeness/the character of God.
B. We must see the divine in every human person. We must respect every human person as a bearer of God’s image, i.e., we must see God in everyone, no matter their state of mind, their abilities or experiences.
C. Because we are created in the image of God, the human person is special in all that God has created. Hence we must not place any creation above the human person – we must not love things above persons.
D. Because we are in God’s image, we belong to God. His image is His stamp of ownership on us. Hence, we are called to worship Him as our Master and Creator. Every denial of God, idolatry or false worship (lip service) is a rebellion of creature against his Creator.
May our lives continue to reflect the image of God. We pray that we may also see and respect others in God’s image and likeness.
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on February 7, 2023.