“And the Lord God said: ‘It is not good for man to be alone: let us make him a help like unto himself.’ And the Lord God having formed out of the ground all the beasts of the earth, and all the fowls of the air, brought them to Adam to see what he would call them: for whatsoever Adam called any living creature the same is its name. And Adam called all the beasts by their names, and all the fowls of the air, and all the cattle of the field: but for Adam there was not found a helper like himself.”
Adam, in the “paradise of pleasure,” was in a state of perfect happiness. There was nothing wanting to him, he was perfectly happy, and in communion with God. However, God, seeing that he could conceivably be happier, acted as love does and moved to increase this happiness in Adam. He needed another person with whom to share the gift of love, that the mystery of the Trinity may be expressed by the love between persons. “Let us make a help like unto himself,” the Lord decrees, and brings the animals to Adam for them to be named. He displays his authority and dignity, far surpassing the beasts, by giving them names. These cannot supply the love man needs to truly live, which can be provided by God and by others: “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 132:1). You, and those you encounter, are unfathomably precious treasures. While the animals are good, they are not equipped with the reason that Adam here exercises. It is through a rational soul that one is capable of love, it is only through the human heart that love can flow. Now, this distinction gives an important way of approaching both animals and others. Animals are made for use and enjoyment, some to make life more convenient for you, such as ones for eating, farming, or other works, and others for enjoyment and beauty, such as butterflies, pets, or the birds you see outside. They are all good, and exist to make your life more wonderful. However, in approaching others, the same attitude of use is contrary to love. It is the duty of the Christian to go into every encounter with the mindset: “How wonderful it is that you exist!” Love is present whenever you speak to someone else, and when you plant love and beauty in the soul of another, you can draw out love and beauty from them as well. Looking at someone with a sense of usage, leading with the means for which you go to them, goes against the extraordinary dignity with which God has clothed them. Life is so much more beautiful when your every conversation carries with it awe and wonder before the jewel you speak to: “Put off the shoes from thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5). Every heart is a treasure beyond all gold and precious gems on earth, and treating them as such not only helps with the radiance of life, but will be an extension of love towards your every neighbor. Because animals lack this splendor, the Lord saw that it was fitting to make someone that does have it, that love may abound between equals.