REALISING THE DIGNITY TO WHICH WE ARE CALLED

‘Rouse yourself, man, and recognize the dignity of your nature. Remember that you were made in God’s image; though corrupted in Adam, that image has been restored in Christ. Use creatures as they should be used: the earth, the sea, the sky, the air, the springs and the rivers. Give praise and glory to their Creator for all that you find beautiful and wonderful in them. See with your bodily eyes the light that shines on earth, but embrace with your whole soul and all your affections the true light which enlightens every man who comes into this world. Speaking of this light the prophet said: ‘Draw close to him and let his light shine upon you and your face will not blush with shame.’ If we are indeed the temple of God and if the Spirit of God lives in us, then what every believer has within himself is greater than what he admires in the skies.’ (Pope St Leo the Great: Sermo 7 in Nativitate Domini, 2.6; PL 54, 217-218, 220-221).

            Humanity is capable of the greatest acts of kindness, generosity, selflessness and creativity – and we are also capable of their opposite. Looking at the world many often see only the negative effects of our humanity rather than the most beautiful or people who claim to have faith in a creative God seem to be inspired by the dark forces that lurk in the shadows. We have a capacity for good and ill and often forget that we have to strive for the good for the latter comes easily. For centuries the wonders of which we are capable have been attributed to God and, affirming that we have the image of God within us, saints like Francis of Assisi, Charles de Foucauld, Teresa of Calcutta and a myriad of others have striven to emulate and incarnate the grace of God in their lives. The power of the opposite to truth, beauty and goodness has also been recognised and named as evil or the work of Satan. As western society has rejected, denied or ignored the notion of God and Godliness the notion of evil, of dark forces which can corrupt us, has continued to catch peoples attention and worked on their imagination and  examples of wickedness can seem to be more apparent than those of goodness.

            Into this condition St Leo’s words echo: Rouse yourself, man, and recognize the dignity of your nature and I wonder if we have we forgotten the dignity by which we can live, a dignity that needs working at because it’s easy to fall victim to hatred and violence – physical, emotional or spiritual. Our age is one which needs saints – women and men who place a premium on living out of our human dignity and who are prepared to spend time and energy cultivating goodness in their lives; who hear the call to live out of our blessedness rather than our selfishness.

            Jesus said:

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, 

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you

and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven,

for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’ (Matthew 5.1-12)