God created something when there was nothing but Him. Then He created something beautiful out of the formless wasteland and the abyss He had originally created. God could have at once created everything as beautiful, but He did it in stages. This indicates that creation is not done once and for all, but it continues even to the present.

God created light, air, water, and earth and also let them be part of the way He creates. He made plants and fruit with seeds in them so that these plants and fruit share in God's work of creation. God gave human beings the greatest participation in His creating. Not only do we humans produce our own seed and eggs, but we can plant seed and fertilize eggs. Thus, the Lord's first words to the newly created human race was: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it" (Gn 1:28). We are commanded to be creative in the image of our Creator (Gn 1:26-27).

God created; God is creating; creation is creative; and the human person has been given the unique privilege of co-creating according to God's will. Are you accepting all the children God wants to create with you in your marriage? Are you spiritually fruitful in leading as many as possible (see 1 Cor 9:19) to the new birth in Christ? (see Jn 3:3, 5) Are you fully creating — fully in unity with the Creator?

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 23, 1998

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 27, 1998