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Day 304: You Have Dignity Because You Belong To God

"We let our ability to do things speak to our dignity.... You are not valuable because you do things. You are not valuable because you look good or because you have a charming personality or because you have been successful at work. You have dignity because you belong to God." ~The Reverend Brian Larkin, Homily for 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 23, 2016. 

Listen to the full homily here (choose the one for XXX Sunday in Ordinary Time).

His homily is directly related to a physician-assisted suicide measure on the ballots in Colorado next week, but is applicable to everyone. He tells a moving story about Pope John Paul II at the end of his life, and discusses how, as humans, we all have inherent dignity. Even if we are not productive (something I could use a lesson in). Even if we are suffering (which we all will at times).

I'm so glad that my church is clear about its stance on human dignity. We aren't valuable because someone wants us or because we are doing something great. We are valuable because we ARE. Period.

Many of us, myself included, could use a lesson in treating others with more dignity and I'm grateful for the reminder I got in this homily and that I get often from holy and virtuous people in countless ways.

People with dignity, even though only one was (kind of) productive.
#1 at 1 year old + Grandma Helen at 91 years old.
She only sort of recognized me at this point in her Alzheimer's. 

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