"The creatures are like a trace of the passage of God. By this trace will be traced his greatness, power and wisdom and all his attributes". They are like a mirror in which is reflected the splendor of his beauty, of his goodness, of his power...: the heavens proclaim the glory of God and announce to him the firmament, which is the work of his hands.
However, on many occasions, because of original sin and personal sins, men do not know how to interpret this imprint of God in the world, they do not know the One who is the source of all good things: through the consideration of works they have not been able to discover their divine Artificer. Seduced by the beauty of created things, they took them for gods. Let them learn to know," Holy Scripture continues, "how much better is the Lord of all creation, for it is the author of beauty who made all these things.
The gift of knowledge makes it easier for man to understand created things as signs that lead to God, and what elevation to the supernatural order means. The Holy Spirit, through the world of nature and the world of grace, makes us perceive and contemplate the infinite wisdom, the omnipotence, the goodness, the intimate nature of God. "It is a contemplative gift whose gaze penetrates, like that of the gift of intelligence and wisdom, into the very mystery of God".
Through this gift, the Christian perceives and understands with complete clarity "that the whole of creation, the movement of the earth and of the stars, the right actions of creatures and all that is positive in the course of history, everything, in a word, has come from God and is ordered to God ". It is a supernatural disposition by which the soul participates in the very science of God, discovers the relationships that exist between everything created and its Creator and in what measure and sense they serve the ultimate end of man.
Manifestation of the gift of knowledge is the Song of the Three Young Men, found in the Book of Daniel, which many Christians recite in thanksgiving after Holy Mass. All created things are asked to bless and give glory to the Creator: Benedicite, omnia opera Domini, Domino.... All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord; and praise and exalt him for ever and ever. Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord. Ye heavens... All you waters that are above the heavens... Sun and moon... Stars of heaven... Rain and dew... Winds all... Cold and heat... Dew and frost... Nights and days... Light and darkness... Mountains and hills... Plants all... Fountains... Seas and rivers... Whales and fish... Birds... Beasts and cattle... Priests of the Lord... Spirits and souls of the righteous... Saints and lowly in heart.... Sing to him and give thanks to him, for his mercy endures forever.
This admirable song of all creation, of the animate and the lifeless, gives glory to its Creator. It is "one of the purest and most ardent expressions of the gift of knowledge: let the heavens and all creation sing the glory of God ". On many occasions it will also help us to give thanks to the Lord after participating in the work that gives the most glory to God: the Holy Mass.