Created by Chris Carmody: jesusinsalem@yahoo.com and Stephanie Rangel: beverlyyouthministry@gmail.

com

Year Faith
of
2012-2013
13 January 2013

The Dignity of the Human Person

Equal in Dignity We are made in the image of God, not because we physically look like Him, but because we have the spiritual powers to know (intellect) and love (will). We are made in the image of God and so are unique and precious among all of creation. This one fact, that God loved us into being in His image and sustains us by His love, shows forth each persons great dignity. Everyoneyou, your family, your friends, the rich and famous, the poor and homeless, the unborn and the elderlyall have human dignity and should be treated with honor and respect. When we acknowledge the inherent goodness and dignity of each person, there is no longer room for any type of discrimination. When we can see each person as a child of God, a son or daughter of the Father, then the way that we treat them should change as well. Equal but not the Same While we hold that every human is equal in dignity, we also know that there is great diversity among us. Our equal dignity does not means that we will be equal in talent, or money or fame. As St. Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians, There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. (4-6) To each of us has been given great dignity and one or many gifts. We are called to acknowledge and respect the dignity found in each person, to develop the gifts that we find within ourselves, and to help others to develop and use the gifts that they have been given. We are first called to love, honor and support those around us in our families and communities, and then, by the means given to us, in solidarity with one another, to help others in the world.

God is the sovereign master of his plan. But to carry it out he also makes use of his creatures cooperation. This use is not a sign of weakness, but rather a token of almighty Gods greatness and goodness. For God grants his creatures not only their existence, but also the dignity of acting on their own, of being causes and principles for each other, and thus of cooperating in the accomplishment of his plan. CCC 306
diversely; I do not give all of them to each person, but some to one, some to others...I have willed that one should need another and that all should be my ministers in distributing the graces and gifts they have received from me.
St. Catherine of Siena, Dialogue . distribute the virtues quite I

The dignity of man rests above all on the fact that he is called to communion with God. This invitation to converse with God is addressed to man as soon as he comes into being. For if man exists, it is because God has created him through love, and through love continues to hold him in existence. He cannot live fully according to the truth unless he freely acknowledges that love and entrusts himself to his creator. Gaudium et spes 19

C H A L L E N G E

St. Paul, when talking about the many members of the Church, also tells us that, As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. (1 Cor. 12) There is great diversity in the bodyeyes, hands, feetbut all parts are important. So too with humans. We have great diversity, but each person is important. This week, help those around you to see their great worth. This can be done by telling them how important they are, thanking them for something they did, or doing something for them.