Wednesday of week 5 in Ordinary Time
First reading Genesis 2:4-9,15-17
In the first reading, we see the intimate and deliberate way in which God creates man, setting him apart from the rest of creation. Unlike other creatures, which were called into existence by His word, man is formed from the dust of the earth, shaped by the hands of the Creator Himself. Then, in an extraordinary act of divine intimacy, God breathes into man’s nostrils the breath of life, making him a living being. This moment reveals the profound dignity of humanity, as man is not only made from the earth but also infused with the very breath of God. This uniqueness stems from the fact that man is created in the image of God, endowed with freedom—an essential aspect of his nature. It is not a freedom for mere self-determination but a freedom directed toward choosing what is good, a freedom to align his will with the will of God. This divine gift of free will calls man to responsibility, as seen in God’s command regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. True freedom, therefore, is not about autonomy but about living in harmony with God’s will, the source of life itself. It’s about choosing freely the will of God. Let’s reflect: How do I use the gift of my God-given freedom—do I choose to align my will with His, or do I let my own desires lead me away from the life He intends for me?
Don Giorgio