Sharing in creation

Today's first reading (Genesis 1:20-2:4a) completes the well-known account of the creation of the world by God that culminates with these words of blessing:

Be fertile and multiply;
fill the earth and subdue it.

Have dominion over the fish of the sea,
the birds of the air,
and all the living things that move on the earth.

With these words, God extends to humanity a share in his creative action: bringing life into existence and establishing order out of chaos.

We are not masters of the universe to pursue our own selfish purposes or caretakers of a universe that exists for its own sake: we are children and servants of God, called to share in his creation of life and establishing of his kingdom according to his will and the true good of all things.