“For my house shall be called

a house of prayer for all peoples.”

A fundamental tenet of Catholic social teaching, even all Catholic belief, is the incomparable value and dignity of every human person. This has its source in God, who “created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” We all bear the imprint of God. Likewise, human dignity was raised by Jesus in our redemption. He “paid the price” for each of us by his sacrifice on the cross in obedience to the Father and in love for us all. Jesus has an individual and unique relationship with each human person. Because of this, Saint John Paul II wrote that it “enables us to see in every human face the face of Christ.” Our dignity is the dignity of the children of God, who made us in his image, and the dignity of brothers and sisters of Jesus, who makes us co-heirs of the kingdom of God. It includes this life, but is not limited to this life, because we all have an eternal destiny. People last forever. An exalted dignity against an eternal horizon is our identity. 

There are no exceptions. While we may not always make choices congruent with our dignity and may, therefore, bear temporal consequences for those choices, our dignity, rooted in God and his action for us, is not diminished. Against the eternal horizon, it is also not dependent on our capabilities, viability, possessions, power, beauty, moral character, mental capacity, or anything else. Our dignity is inherent to our person. As human beings, we are the beloved of God. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote, “Created by God and redeemed by Christ, every person possesses a fundamental dignity that comes from God, not from any human attribute or accomplishment.” As such, we all have the same dignity. The weakest and the worst possess the same dignity as the strongest and the best. This is comfort to some, but a great challenge to others. It may be hard for us to accept our own dignity (Many often think, “I’m not worthy.”). It’s also difficult in our comparative society, with virtue signaling and cancel culture, to acknowledge the dignity of others (Honestly reflect, “Who do I think I’m better than?” or “Who do I look down on?”). However difficult it may be for us, in God’s eyes, which is in reality, every human person is valuable. 

Our response, on the grand scale, is respect for human persons, upholding human rights, working for justice, compassion for the hurting, and charity toward all. This is especially true for the most vulnerable, for those who have no voice, and for those on the margins. The reverence and honor due each human person Saint John Paul II called a “culture of life.” According to him, the culture of life included the dignity of the unborn, the new born, the sick, the poor and needy, the terminally ill, the mentally ill, the addicted, the foreigner or immigrant, the elderly, the young, the marginalized, AIDS patients, and enemies. He gave special attention to the most vulnerable in opposition to abortion and euthanasia. All of these issues, however, consistently witness to the value and dignity of each human person. 

On a personal level, the culture of life also affects our opinions and interactions with others. Last weekend, the second reading chosen by a wedding couple was from the twelfth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans. It included practical guidance, “Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor...Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless those who persecute [you], bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, on your part, live at peace with all.” In other words, in every human face you encounter, even the weakest and the worst, see the face of Christ.