59. Man was created in order to be blessed.

Man was created in order to be blessed.

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 59

Ave Maria series

59.  Why did God make man?

God made everything for man.  Man, however, who is “the only creature on earth that God has willed for its own sake”, was created in order to be blessed.  This happens when he knows, loves, and serves God and lives in gratitude toward his Creator.  [358]

Family time between Don L. Bragg and grandson Stephen. I was telling Steve about the beaver I once had as an educational tool during my conservation work. ....59

Gratitude is love that has been acknowledged.  Someone who is grateful  turns freely to the giver of the good and enters into a new, deeper relationship with him.  God wishes us to acknowledge his love and even now to live our whole life in relationship with him.  This relationship lasts forever.

“God loved men.   For their sake he created the cosmos; he subjected everything on earth to them; he gave them the ability to speak and understand; he permitted them alone to look up to heaven; he formed them after his likeness; he sent his Son to them; he promised them the kingdom of heaven, and he will give it to those who love him.”  Letter to Diognetus, second century

358

Man

"IN THE IMAGE OF GOD"

358 God created everything for man,( Compare Gaudium et Spes 12 § 1; GS 24 § 3; GS 39 § 1.)²²² but man in turn was created to serve and love God and to offer all creation back to him:

What is it that is about to be created, that enjoys such honor? It is man that great and wonderful living creature, more precious in the eyes of God than all other creatures! For him the heavens and the earth, the sea and all the rest of creation exist. God attached so much importance to his salvation that he did not spare his own Son for the sake of man. Nor does he ever cease to work, trying every possible means, until he has raised man up to himself and made him sit at his right hand.( St. John Chrysostom, In Gen. Sermo 2,1: Patrologia Graeca 54,587D-588A.)²²³ –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition