Multiply

“I will demand an accounting for human life.” // Genesis 9:5

A few years ago, my older brother, now in his sixties, married a lovely woman, a widow somewhat younger, who had three children. He adopted her three children, had three of his own already, and together they have had three more daughters. Number nine is aptly named “Mary Novena.”

We tease him, calling him “Abraham.” He has taken the “be fertile and multiply” thing quite literally, and it is clear that nothing brings him more joy than his large and boisterous brood. To visit his home is to step into the happiest chaos; life spills out around the edges of it like a gurgling, spring brook.

I, on the other hand, married late in life and will not have children of my own. And yet, I am attracted to this exchange between God and Noah in today’s reading from Genesis. The Lord says, “Be fertile and multiply and fill the earth,” (9:1), and later, “I will demand an accounting for human life . . . for in the image of God has man been made” (9:6). How delightful. How the Lord, God, loves life! He is the author and giver of life, and what a spectacular notion that I have been created in His image in this attribute.

So, my life must be fertile. What shall be my accounting in this?

With God’s grace, I will be fertile in charity and multiply in works of mercy. With my Father’s blessing, I can fill the earth with prayer, especially for souls who have no one to pray for them, and with praise of His goodness. I can walk through my world as a light, so beautiful, so inviting that others will be drawn to it and want to know its Source. This is what it means to be fertile too, to “abound on earth and subdue it” (Genesis 9:7)—with faith, hope, and charity.

Sister, together let’s be fertile in kindness, in works of mercy, and in living as joyful, holy women who have tasted Christ’s redemption. For these bring life too. These multiply the gift of eternal life.