February 7, Monday Weekday

May the Lord be glad in his works. — Psalm 104:31

Mass Readings: Genesis 1:1-19 / Mark 6:53-56

How Great Thou Art  

The splendor of created things often led ancient peoples to regard these things as “gods.” The sun and moon, for instance, were worshiped as the chief deities of the Egyptian and Babylonian pantheons respectively. Today’s first reading is a carefully-crafted argument against such beliefs. By deliberately omitting to name them and merely referring to “two great lights,” the Biblical author de-deifies the sun and moon — showing that these are not deities, but created objects that witness to the power and skill of their Creator. As Psalm 19:2 proclaims: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky proclaims its builder’s craft.” 

We are far too sophisticated for nature worship. But are we guilty of paying homage to the man-made marvels of modern technology, rather than to our God who makes all these things possible? 

Prayer: Creator-God, how great Thou art!