Very Good

Beginning words are always important words.  The first words make first impressions.  The first words have the power to speak broadly of what is to come.  Any writer knows that the first words in a book, or a chapter, are crucial and require much thought before putting them to pen.  The first words in the Sacred Book we know as the Word of God are singularly important words.  At first glance it might seem that they simply a convey a creation account, and while they do, there is much more.     

Probably the most important thing those words do is to reveal something of the spirit and the nature of the Creator.  So many things stand within those verses as obvious truths, but surely one that stands head and shoulders high is the truth that the Creator is a God who is always doing good things.  As the creation moves from the invisible dimension into the visible realm, we constantly see those words which declare, "It was good." (Genesis 1)  And what may be most surprising to some is the word which comes after the completion of creation which included the creation of humankind.  It does not read, "It was good," but instead it reads, "...indeed, it was very good."  (Genesis 1:31)   

What makes us sit up and take notice of these words is the way our tradition has always affirmed that there is evil lurking in us even from the womb.  There seems to be something amiss as we encounter these words about the beginning.  Could it be that the womb of our mother is not a place so filled with sin?  Could it be that the act of procreation and conception is a blessed moment surprisingly filled with a third party, the presence of God?   Is there more to think about here than just the theological idea that we are born in sin, created in sin?  Given the fact that the Word says, :...indeed, it was very good," maybe we need to do a little more thinking.