Youcat commented through CCC. Question n. 48 – Part I.

YOUCAT Question n. 48 - Part I.  Why did God create the world?

(Youcat answer) “The world was made for the glory of God” (First Vatican Council).     

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 293) Scripture and Tradition never cease to teach and celebrate this fundamental truth: "The world was made for the glory of God" (Dei Filius, can. § 5: DS 3025). St. Bonaventure explains that God created all things "not to increase his glory, but to show it forth and to communicate it" (St. Bonaventure, In II Sent. I, 2, 2, 1), for God has no other reason for creating than his love and goodness: "Creatures came into existence when the key of love opened his hand" (St. Thomas Aquinas, Sent. II, Prol.). The First Vatican Council explains: This one, true God, of his own goodness and "almighty power", not for increasing his own beatitude, nor for attaining his perfection, but in order to manifest this perfection through the benefits which he bestows on creatures, with absolute freedom of counsel "and from the beginning of time, made out of nothing both orders of creatures, the spiritual and the corporeal…" (Dei Filius I: DS 3002; cf. Lateran Council IV (1215): DS 800).   

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) There is no other reason for creation than love. In it God’s glory and honor appears. To praise God, therefore, does not mean applauding the Creator. After all, man is not a spectator to the work of creation. For him, “praising” God means being grateful for his own existence together with all creation.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 319) 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. 

(This question: Why did God create the world? is continued)