Today is Feb 10, the memorial of St. Scholastica.
We read in Scripture at today’s Mass, “In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters” (Gen 1:1).
We chose the theme for our February edition of Our Sunday Visitor magazine as “Create.” The theme aligns perfectly with the lectionary, as we now turn to Genesis. Having begun the year in the book of Hebrews, we started with the end, so to speak. Focusing on Christ, our High Priest, and the redemption offered through him, we began at the end of the story, but today we head back to the beginning.
These verses from Genesis are among the best-known in the entire Bible. In fact, I suspect that the only verse that might be better or at least equally known is John 3:16. (No one holds up Gen 1:1 on a poster at a basketball game!)
All of creation owes its origin to God
This verse from Genesis is so well-known, however, that we rarely stop to consider its extensive implications. Entire courses in theology could be taught on this verse!
Before anything else, there was God. God is eternal; and not only that, he himself is the cause of all that exists. All of creation owes its origin to God, who lovingly spoke the created world into being from nothing. Nothing can be without God; nothing compares to God.
Moreover, because we know God as Creator, we know we must praise him! We give God our praise and adoration, knowing that not only has he made all things, but that he continues to guide and govern his creation.
Let us pray,
As we celebrate anew the Memorial of the Virgin Saint Scholastica, we pray, O Lord, that, following her example, we may serve you with pure love and happily receive what comes from loving you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
