Repeatedly throughout the first reading from Genesis we see that God is pleased with the creation of the Earth. There are numerous times in which God says that the creation is good. What does it mean that creation is good though? Especially when we, as made in the image of God, are given dominion over all of this good creation. What are the implications of having dominion over something? It means that we are responsible for it. It means that our actions have the potential to affect all of creation. I would say that this is becoming more and more of a reality as we become technologically more and more advanced and as we become more and more dependent upon people and resources around the world.

So then our actions affect the entire world. But what does that mean for us? Well, because all of creation is good, “God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good” (Gen 1:31), we have a responsibility to watch over this creation and to protect it. This means that we have to be aware of the true and total implications of our acts. And so, we need to educate ourselves so that we are better able to make choices that will be more beneficial and less harmful to all of creation. We need to be aware and willing to act on this new knowledge and awareness.

I must admit that I am not all that good at this myself, but I am working on it. I am trying to become more aware and so act more. But it’s hard, often times I get caught up in everything I’m doing and get “too busy” and use the excuse that I don’t have the time and so revert to doing what’s easy. Generally, this is not what I should be doing. All to often, what is right is the “hard” way, the “road less traveled” as the poem tells us. But this is another repeating theme in tonight’s readings; God forgives us and welcomes us back. God wants us to be near him, but he will let us come to him in our time, when we are ready.

However, when we are ready, when we do make that effort, God welcomes us and “with great tenderness I will take you back” (Isa 54:7) no matter what we do. This is a very comforting thought and belief because it means that even if we have turned from God completely, if we turn back and work towards God, he will welcome us back. He takes us back no matter what.