Sadly, in our modern secular culture, there isn't always rejoicing and happiness in what God creates. Many groan when God creates a new life in the womb. The following comments are routinely heard these days: "You're pregnant again?" "That baby has birth defects. You should abort it." "How will this world survive with so much overpopulation?" or "You ought to get that fixed." God creates other things that don't cause rejoicing and happiness: culturally less desirable plants that are termed "weeds," myriad insects, and rodents. Most importantly, God creates people anew in Baptism and via constant conversions. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation" (2 Cor 5:17). Nonetheless, there isn't always rejoicing and happiness in God's new creations. "So, you became a Christian and now you won't go out drinking with me anymore? Some friend you are!"
God's creation isn't flawed. Everything He makes reflects His glory and love. The problem is that many humans have a warped sense of values. If we aren't rejoicing over God's creation, we're listening to the wrong voices. The airwaves are filled with bad news; the Scriptures are full of "good news" (Mk 1:1 in the Greek).
God is creating new heavens, a new earth (Is 65:17), and a new kingdom with newly recreated people. There will be no more weeping or grumbling (Is 65:19). So rejoice in the Lord and in His creation always (Phil 4:4). Don't linger in the company of scoffers (Ps 1:1). As you heard on Ash Wednesday, "repent and believe the good news." Rejoice always in God and His creation.
| PRAYER: | Father, "at the works of Your hands I rejoice" (Ps 92:5). |
| PROMISE: | "You took off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my soul might sing praise to You without ceasing; O Lord, my God, forever will I give You thanks."–Ps 30:12-13 |
| PRAISE: | St. Isidore of Seville, brother of St. Leander, St. Fulgentius, and St. Florentina, proclaimed Christ's divinity throughout Spain. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College