Pope Leo, in his weekly General Audiences, is continuing to look at the documents from Vatican II. He has moved on from liturgy and is now talking about Gaudium et Spes, given to us on Dec, 7, 1965. The title is taken from the first two words of the document “Joy and Hope.” It was written to everyone in the world, not just Catholics.
On Sept. 9, Pope Leo spoke of the chapter on Human Dignity. He reminds us that he took up this topic in his own recent encyclical Magnifica Humanitas: “Every human person is planned and willed by God to enter into communion with [God], with others and with creation. Human dignity does not depend on a person’s abilities, wealth or position in life, nor on the right or wrong choices made; instead, it is a gift that precedes and transcends each person, endowed by God as an expression of [God’s] unfailing love” (no. 50).
I believe this quote from the Audience deserves our reflection: “Gaudium et Spes recalls the three most significant expressions of the dignity of the person: intelligence, which makes the human being an insatiable seeker of the truth (Chapter 2, 15), conscience, through which [he/she] gives unity and meaning to [his/her] life (2, 16), and freedom, which makes [him/her] the responsible agent of [his/her] own decision (2, 17). These dimensions are closely connected to one another: it is in conscience that truth is recognized as such, and freedom can experience it as its foundation and possibility. The Holy Spirit, who gives life in Christ, makes us free and constantly assures us of our dignity as children of God, delivering us from fear and guiding us towards the ultimate goal, that life in its fullness beyond death which Christ has promised us.”
My reflection: This principle of human dignity is also found in Catholic Social Teaching. We promote this standard in the liturgy. We do not give better seating to a person of influence. We do not give a bigger portion of the Body and Blood of Christ to a person who is wealthy. We do not exclude the poor, the sick, the young or the aged, or people who are homeless. We show respect and care to everyone – or we should do so. We learn to treat people with dignity at the liturgy; we take this value into our daily lives. The person we see at the grocery store, the other driver, our neighbor, the immigrant, members of our family: do we believe in their fundamental dignity and equality? Do our actions match our belief?
Is your parish a welcoming community? What are the ways in which your parish is hospitable? Could that hospitality be improved? How? What is your role in being welcoming?
