On God’s Image and Likeness
Eternal Father, you said, "Let us make mankind in our image and
likeness." Thus, you were willing to share with us your Own greatness. You
gave us the intellect to share your truth. You gave us the wisdom to share your
goodness. And you gave us the free will to love that which is true and just.
Why did you dignify us? It was because you looked upon us and fell in love with
us. It was love which first prompted you to create us; and it was love which
caused you to share with us your truth and goodness. Yet your heart must break
when you see us turn against you. You must weep when you see us abusing our
intellect in pursuit of that which is false. You must cry with pain when we
distort our wisdom in order to justify evil. But you never desert us. Out of
the same love that caused you to create us, you have now sent your only Son to
save us. He is your perfect image and likeness, and so through Him we can be
restored to your image and likeness.
Saint
Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)