No Jesus, No Creation! – Sep 05 – Homily – Fr Terrance

In this insightful homily, Father delves into the theological depth of St. Paul’s writings, particularly from Colossians, to affirm that Jesus Christ is the heart of all creation. He teaches that everything was created through, by, and for Christ, as seen in passages like Colossians 1:15, where Christ is called 'the firstborn of all creation,' and Colossians 1:16, which states all things were created in Him. Father highlights Christ as the 'icon of the invisible God', manifesting the divine nature in His humanity, as reiterated in John 12:45 and John 14:9. He also references Galatians 4:4, noting Christ’s birth 'in the fullness of time,' and Revelation 22:13, where Christ declares Himself 'the Alpha and the Omega.' Father contrasts the Franciscan thesis of Christ’s absolute primacy with the Thomistic view, emphasizing that Christ’s incarnation was not solely for redemption but was God’s primary plan before sin, as supported by Colossians 1:17-18 and Philippians 2:10-11. He includes Mary in this divine blueprint, citing Pius IX’s Ineffabilis Deus, and notes Christ’s headship over the Church and angels (Colossians 2:10). Drawing from Fr. Gabriel Amorth, Father reinforces that Christ is the summation of all creatures, heavenly and earthly. He urges listeners to center their lives on Jesus and Mary, aligning with God’s eternal purpose.

For Further Reading

Colossians 1:15-18 - NAB - Christ as Firstborn of Creation - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/colossians/1?15
John 12:45 - NAB - Seeing Christ, Seeing the Father - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/12?45
John 14:9 - NAB - Christ as Image of Father - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14?9
Galatians 4:4 - NAB - Born in Fullness of Time - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/4?4
Revelation 22:13 - NAB - Christ as Alpha and Omega - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/22?13
Philippians 2:10-11 - NAB - Every Knee Bows to Christ - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/2?10
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2566 - Man’s Creation in God’s Image - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2566.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #331 - Christ as Center of Creation - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/331.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #668 - Christ’s Exaltation and Primacy - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/668.htm
Vatican - Ineffabilis Deus by Pius IX - Apostolic Constitution on Immaculate Conception - https://www.papalencyclicals.net/pius09/p9ineff.htm

Ave Maria!