Have you ever asked yourself this question: Why did God create the universe and everything in it?

Even though we're at a distinct disadvantage because of our limited intelligence, finite knowledge, and human perspective, let's think through this simple, straight-forward question and see if we can't find an answer.

Did God create the world because He was bored? Think about our own experiences in life. When we have nothing to do, we're bored. Maybe God created the universe because He was bored?

Did God created the universe because He was lonely? When we're alone for a day or two, most of us feel lonely. Maybe God created the universe because He was lonely?

Did God create the heavens and the earth, the day and the night, the plants and the animals, and finally man and woman in a desperate search for happiness and a sense of fulfillment? When we tackle challenges and chase opportunities on a regular basis, we feel a sense of fulfillment, a sense of accomplishment. Fulfillment and accomplishments can bring us happiness. Maybe God was unfulfilled, unhappy because He lacked accomplishments on His resume?

I think we're treading water. We're only raising more questions. We're not getting any closer to the answer. Let's stop wasting time. We're Catholic; let's take our question to the most reliable source on earth: the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

The Church, relying on Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, and its Magisterium, says God did not create the universe because He was bored, lonely, or unhappy. God is perfection; He lacks nothing. He is the Creator of everything; but it was not necessary that He create anything, much less the entire universe.

The first paragraph of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) answers our question. "God, infinitely perfect and blessed in Himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in His own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek Him, to know Him, to love Him with all his strength." The Baltimore Catechism, first printed in the late 19th century, is famous for it's statement on why God created us: "To know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this life, and to be happy with Him forever in the next."

CCC 293 states, "Scripture and Tradition never cease to teach and celebrate this fundamental truth: 'The world was made for the glory of God.'" God created man because He wanted to share His existence, His presence, His glory with us. CCC 294 says, "He wanted to simultaneously assure His own glory and our beatitude." God gained nothing by creating us; but we gained everything: the opportunity to share everything with Him in heaven. CCC 295 says, "We believe that God created the world according to His wisdom. It is not the product of any necessity whatever, nor of blind fate or chance. We believe that it proceeds from God's free will; He wanted to make His creatures share in His being, wisdom, and goodness."

In the 13th century St. Bonaventure wrote that God created all things "not to increase His glory, but to show it forth and to communicate it."

St John the Apostle proclaims in the Book of Revelation (4:11), "Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created."

In summary, CCC 319 says, "God created the world to show forth and communicate His glory. That His creatures should share in His truth, goodness, and beauty - this is the glory for which God created them." Man is the peak, the summit of God's creation. God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground. God created man in His image; in the divine image He created him; male and female He created them." (Gen 1:26-27) God freely chose to create man and the entire universe. Man was created in God's own image. How can this be? God is spirit; man is flesh and blood. A spiritual likeness exists between God and man. Man's intellect and reason foster his understanding that he is to care for the God's creation; and man's immortal soul makes him capable of having a personal relationship with God.

The Old Testament Book of Sirach states, "When God, in the beginning, created man, He made him subject to his own free choice." God has no desire to force us to love Him. That is why, from the beginning, He gave man free will. "Free will is the faculty or capability of making a reasonable choice among several alternatives. Freedom of will underlies the possibility and fact of moral responsibility," says Our Sunday Visitor Catholic Dictionary. Man by his very nature does not want to be forced into something. As children grow and mature they want to make more of their own decisions. They do not want their parents to force them into anything, even if their parents believe it is best for them. Few if any of us find it easy to love someone who tries to force their love on us. God planted this human trait in us. He gave us free will that we might be left alone to freely seek our Creator and the glory and holiness He offers to those who cling to Him. St. Irenaeus, an Early Church Father from the 2nd century said, "Man is rational and therefore like God; he is created with free will and is master over his acts."

In God's wisdom, He gave each of us the freedom to make our own decisions. It is an awesome, yet intimidating responsibility. We have been given the opportunity to freely decide to share in God's glory and holiness. He will help us; but He will not force us.

For more insight read CCC paragraphs 1, 27, 44, 52, 293-95, 306-08, 317, 319, 321, 323, 337-40, 355-58, 380, 384, 396, 1704-05, 1711, 1730-31. Also, pull out your "Catholic" Bible and reference Gen 1:1-31; 2:1-25; Tob 8:6a; Ps 8:4; 104:24; 145:9; Wis 9:9; Sir 15:14; 1 Cor 15:28; 2 Cor 4:6; Eph 1:5-6; 1 Pet 2:16; Rev 4:11.