In God’s Image and Likeness

(This blog was originally penned in 2010) Gen 1:26 - Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness… I recently reflected on the popular Genesis verse that I’ve simply taken for granted all my life. Hearing this statement over and over in Catholic and Protestant services has caused me never to question its truth and applicability. Its truth is assured only if God were the author, because it is granting its creation a very privileged position in the grand scheme. If God is not its author, then… For this post, let me just focus on my concerns about its applicability. I have become exceedingly concerned in my own thinking about the impossibility of true selflessness. My own preference to an altruistic act is disrupted by the massive edifice of total and absolute selfishness that is my human being. Oh yes, I am acting in a socially acceptable manner when I give time and resources to a cause that both I and society have agreed is a benevolent act and graceful act. But looking a little deeper into the intention and biological mechanics I soon see the doubt that has pressed my mind for answers. Let’s look very briefly at my so called selfless act. Why am I doing good works when I support a needy cause? Because the injustice I observe may be met by the surplus resources that I hold in my possession for which I give to resolve my perception of injustice. I see a hungry child, I have food, I wish to fill that child, I hand the child food, see that the food is eaten to the satisfaction of the child, and I gain a sense that the injustice of hunger has been sated. This is a perfect act of benevolence, right? Not so fast. I could be giving food for many different reasons. I might be achieving thoughts of self-aggrandizement; I hold the power over hunger that takes control of this child. I might be putting on display my charity for others to watch; look at me, see how good I am to alleviate the suffering of this child. I might be trying to unload some of my selfish wealth; after my sprawling condo has been furnished with five LCD smart TVs and two SUVs keep each other company in my three-car garage next to my two custom Harleys, I really feel it’s time to give back. I might be giving from my poverty; my bones begin to poke through my skin, the saliva pools in my throat almost making me choke as I hand my precious bread with a holy ecstatic gaze while my weak and shaking hands place the food into the hand of this better and more deserving child. Am I am looking for blessing from God? My body is no better. I see it as fundamentally weak and self-serving. Each cell consumes what it wants, craves and groans when it doesn't have what it wants, sometimes it gives only once it has taken its fill or greedily hoards energy. I`m a total slave to a balanced environment: free of excessive heat or cold, free of cosmic and nuclear radiation, given sufficient atmospheric pressure, given the right mixture of gases, water to act as the medium for my cells, food for my cells to eat, etc. Just take away food from me and watch me change! Just take away water from me and watch me change! Just take away oxygen from me and watch how my cells become very selfish indeed. Surely in all of this I have lost my humanity and cannot live up to my title as made in the image of God.