17. Read CCC # 295-298 (IV. The Mystery ur cieation) According to the Catholic Church what does it mean that "God creates out of nothing"? Also explain how the creative act of God making light shine in the darkness by his word as described in Genesis can give hope to the sinner? 18. Read CCC # 356-359 (1. "In the Image of God") According to the Catechism, every person is truly unique from the rest of the world of visible creation. Why is every man or woman not just another "something" in the universe, rather every man or woman is a "someone"? What is the difference between "something" and someone"?

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17. Read CCC # 295-298 (IV. The Mystery ur cieation) According to the Catholic Church what does it mean that "God creates out of nothing"? Also explain how the creative act of God making light shine in the darkness by his word as described in Genesis can give hope to the sinner? 18. Read CCC # 356-359 (1. "In the Image of God") According to the Catechism, every person is truly unique from the rest of the world of visible creation. Why is every man or woman not just another "something" in the universe, rather every man or woman is a "someone"? What is the difference between "something" and someone"?

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17. **Creation "Ex Nihilo" and Hope for the Sinner:**The Catholic Church teaches that God creates "ex nihilo," meaning "out of nothing." This doesn't mean God used some mysterious substance called "nothing." It means that creation did not arise from pre-existing matter independent of God. Everything that exists owes its entire being to God's free act of creation. There was no other source material. God alone is the ultimate source of all that is.The creative act of God making light shine in the darkness in Genesis offers hope to the sinner because it demonstrates God's power to bring forth good from a void. Just as God brought light into the primordial darkness, he can bring grace and forgiveness into the darkness of sin. This act symbolizes God's ability to transform and renew, offering hope for redemption and a new beginning, even when we are overwhelmed by our failings. It reminds us that God's power is greater than any darkness we may experience.18. **"Someone" vs. "Something": The Uniqueness of the Human Person:**The Catechism emphasizes that every human person is unique and distinct from the rest of creation. We are not just another "something" in the universe, but a "someone." This distinction lies in the fact that we are created in God's image and likeness (Imago Dei).Being a "someone" implies:* **Rationality and Free Will:** We possess intellect and will, enabling us to understand and choose. We are not simply driven by instinct like other creatures, but can reason and make decisions.* **Relationality:** We are created for relationship with God and with others. We are capable of love, communion, and self-giving.* **Spiritual Nature:** We have an immortal soul, which transcends the material world. This spiritual dimension connects us to God in a unique way.* **Inherent Dignity:** Because we are made in God's image, we possess inherent dignity and worth. This dignity is not earned or granted, but intrinsic to our being.A "something," on the other hand, refers to an object or thing. It lacks the spiritual, relational, and rational capacities that define a person. While "somethings" have value and purpose within creation, they do not possess the same inherent dignity and worth as a "someone" created in God's image. The difference is profound and emphasizes the unique place of human beings in the created order.

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