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91. The Production of the First Human Body

1. Holy Scripture (Gen. 2:7) says: "God made man ofthe slime of the earth." Earth and water mingled make slime.Thus the first human body has elements that belong to lifelessthings, and also to plants and animals. And man's soul is aspirit, like the angels. Hence man is called "a world inlittle," a microcosm, for he has in himself something of allcreatures in the universe: mineral, vegetal, animal, spiritual.

2. The first human body was produced by creation.{-The slime of the earth was not really material formaking a human being, and did not become human until the soul wasjoined to it. The human body did not exist as the human body untilGod's creative act produced and infused the spiritual soul.-}Creation is an act which precludes any medium; hence the firsthuman body was created immediately by almighty God.

3. Man's body is admirably suited for its connaturaloperations. God gives to every nature the best constitution andequipment for the purpose it is to serve. This is not absolutelythe best, but relatively the best-that is, best in relation to itspurpose and use.

4. Scripture fittingly describes the production of man,and indicates that other earthly creatures are made for man'suse and benefit.

"Every man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars."
Thomas á Kempis

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"Whoever wants to stand alone without the support of a master and guide will be like the tree that stands alone in a field without a proprietor. No matter how much the tree bears, passers-by will pick the fruit before it ripens. "
St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church

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"Before a man chooses his confessor, he ought to think well about it, and pray about it also; but when he has once chosen, he ought not to change, except for most urgent reasons, but put the utmost confidence in his director."
St Philip Neri

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