Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Friday of the fifth week in Ordinary Time, February 14, 2025, Memorial of Saint Cyril, Monk and Methodius, Bishop

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Genesis 3: 1-8; Rs psalm 32: 1-2.5.6.7; Mark 7: 31-37THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD AS A HUMAN PERSON The theme for our meditation today is: The Image and Likenessof God as a Human Person. Human beings created by the Lord God in the image andlikeness of God are purely gifts. That noble and special dignity is given inGod's will, and not because man wants it. One of the dimensions given to humansis the freedom and the right to enjoy life in the world which is fullyentrusted to human hands. But that special gift has its limits, namely as ahuman being. It means that man uses that gift of freedom and trustto the extent that he is capable of being a human being. The position anddignity of human beings remain as human beings. A human person cannot changehis position to the position of God. That is the intention of God to bestowprivileges on man, but man is also given a limit that he cannot break. This isthe same as a father and a mother will remain a father and a mother to theirchildren until they die. It is impossible that children will one day changetheir position to become parents, while parents will become children. Such a change only occurs as a drama or play. But assomething that is nature and identity, in principle it remains from thebegining. In this context, the title of this meditation is properly so bysaying: man is special as a man and period. It does not need to be added withthe connection "and", "or", "also". It means thatman should not be given any other alternative, so that he can use his freedomto choose another alternative other than being a human being. Instead, this additional option is considered by Satanto be a flaw. He tempted man to compete with God's power. Man was tempted andhis first fall into sin occurred. There is a common saying that goes in thisway: your strength or power is also your weakness! Man was created in the imageand likeness of God as a human being, which means that he is superior to allother kinds of creation on earth. Even humans are given the trust to take careand to use other creations, as well as to be their protectors. But those advantages and privileges are alsodisadvantages. When he cannot use his power wisely and correctly, it becomes areproach for Satan to deceive man. One way to use power correctly andresponsibly is to be a servant, helper, comforter, and healer of others who aresuffering and who need help. Jesus is our example for this good deeds. If wekeep ourselves busy doing good and serving, Satan will find it difficult todeceive us.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord, fill uswith Your power so that we can defeat the forces of evil. Glory to the Fatherand to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father...