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Creatures of the Same God, Equal in Dignity

Creatures of the Same God, Equal in Dignity

Last updated on: February 6, 2025 at 11:52 am by Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, LC

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Creatures of the Same God, Equal in Dignity 2025-02-06T11:52:03-08:00 Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, LC

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Jesus preached salvation to all. This is the basis of Catholic teaching that all humans are equal in dignity. This reality shapes the way that saints throughout the ages have seen the world. This is clear in the case of St. Therese of Lisieux, the well-known Carmelite nun of 19th-century France. Although she lived confined to a cloister, she felt at the same time a profound missionary impulse. At one point, she decided to pray for a man whom she had never met, who was on death row and showed no repentance for the crimes he had committed. Therese offered up daily sacrifices and prayers for his conversion and salvation. Why would she do such a thing? Does a killer deserve our compassion and prayers? Therese, and all of Catholic tradition, would say yes. But why? God grants our dignity forever.

Every human person has infinite dignity

Every human person possesses an infinite dignity, inalienably grounded in his or her very being, which prevails in and beyond every circumstance, state, or situation the person may ever encounter. This principle, which is fully recognizable even by reason alone, underlies the primacy of the human person and the protection of human rights. In the light of Revelation, the Church resolutely reiterates and confirms the ontological dignity of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God and redeemed in Jesus Christ. From this truth, the Church draws the reasons for her commitment to the weak and those less endowed with power, always insisting on “the primacy of the human person and the defense of his or her dignity beyond every circumstance” (Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Dignitas Infinita, 1).

The topic of human dignity is implicit in much of the Gospel. The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord shows us how Mary, Joseph, and Jesus went to the Temple 40 days after the birth of Jesus for the ritual purification of the new mother. All new mothers had to do this, although there were provisions for the poor. Significantly, the Holy Family makes the offering designated for the poor: two turtledoves. Although their gifts might be different, the fact that the rich and poor alike had to make this sacrifice indicates their common human dignity.

Building Community

The Church’s teaching extensively promotes human dignity. Our common human dignity allows us to build community.

Although rightful differences exist between men, the equal dignity of persons demands that a more humane and just condition of life be brought about. For excessive economic and social differences between the members of the one human family or population groups cause scandal, and militate against social justice, equity, the dignity of the human person, as well as social and international peace (Vatican II, Gaudium et Spes, 29).

The Church’s consistent teaching on universal human dignity makes a significant contribution to public discourse about how to treat one another.

Human Dignity

Topics of human dignity come up frequently in our public discourse. Something I love about today’s Gospel is when Simeon takes the child Jesus in his arms and lifts him. I think so much of how we look at human dignity should remember to put children at the center. How are we acting to make sure that the most defenseless members of society can grow up happy and healthy? This is one of the best ways to look at the topic of human dignity.

The United States Bishops have a long history of sticking up for migrants and refugees because of their desire to defend universal human dignity. It is wrong to analyze politically what the Church does as a response to the Gospel. Recently, it has been suggested that they might do this not because of evangelical reasons but rather to receive federal funding.

It is important to note that the work Catholic Charities does for migrants and refugees goes far beyond what is provided for through federal funding. The problem of politicizing the Church goes back to the time of the emperor Constantine. As we tackle several issues in society that touch on human dignity, it is a good moment to examine our hearts and make sure that we do what is possible to promote the basic human dignity of every human being.

baby being baptized

A child receives the sacrament of baptism.

Simeon’s Hope

Simeon saw in Jesus the answer to his prayers and the prayers of a people for hundreds of years. The coming of Jesus filled him with hope. Christ invites us to live in this hope and to share this hope with others. We are especially capable of doing this when we remind ourselves and others that our dignity comes from being baptized as sons and daughters of God, and by virtue of our being his creation.

Those who think differently than we do are worthy of our prayers. We can never reduce an individual or a community of individuals to one characteristic. We pray for life and respect it at every stage, from conception to natural death. No one is excluded from the love we are called to live as Christians. We should treat all people with respect, even if they are ideologically opposed to us, do not share our values, or even if they root for UNC.

Tales of Hope

In a world that is starving for hope, we have to be attentive to the stories of hope that happen in our lives. The other day, I spoke to a friend of mine in Pasadena who owns a Mexican restaurant. On Sunday, 30 people reserved a room he has for smaller events. When he asked them where they were from, they answered that they were from Altadena, an area ravaged by the recent fires. They had all lost their homes, but they wanted to escape from the worry and anxiety surrounding what they had lost. They decided to come together and celebrate the fact that they were alive and that their loved ones were well, even if they had lost their homes.

Later, a group of firefighters from Las Vegas stopped in. Someone at the restaurant and the owner went in 50/50 to pay for their meals in recognition of all they had done in the past few weeks.

It is easy for us to be centered on ourselves and focused on our problems. We do so much better when we look outward and try to serve others. This helps us to live in the attitude of hope that we see in Simeon in today’s Gospel. Jesus came to the world to save us, to give us hope, and to show us the way to salvation. As a response, we are called to treat everyone with the respect and dignity they deserve, as we all belong to the same God in heaven.

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About Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, LC

Fr. Nicholas Sheehy is Assistant Chaplain at the Duke Catholic Center. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 2013 for the Legionaries of Christ. You can read more about the author here.

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