I suppose the Biblical and Patristic answer is really more simple than the Catechism one. God made us to be in His image and also, I think more importantly, in His Likeness.
Indeed we were made in His image, but again the question is why did He make us at all ?
“Indeed we were made in His image, but again the question is why did He make us at all ?”
Well, MOM, I’ve read your later post so I know your answer, and I agree wholeheartedly. I also think the simple answer you and I learned in the 1st grade is right on the money.
I will go on to say that I believe, along with most Orthodox Christians, that there is more to it than “simply” (there’s really nothing even remotely simple about it, is there!) glorifying God. I say this because within the economy of salvation we have the Incarnation, and as +Athanasius the Great tells us, God became man so that men might become like gods. Here’s a link:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/athanasius/incarnation.ii.html
Our created purpose was and is to become sons by adoption of the Most High God. To be thoroughly and probably heretically anthropomorphic and simplistic about the matter, God wanted and wants, for reasons sufficient to Him, that we be His children.