Although we were created to know, love, and serve God, we naturally tend to live "at the level of the flesh, following every whim and fancy" (Eph 2:3). Human beings tend to live like animals, whose only purpose in life is to fulfill their bodily needs. This way of life is below our human dignity. It is natural to relax, eat heartily, drink well, and enjoy ourselves (see Lk 12:19). To make this the meaning of life, however, is to deny that:
Therefore, don't compromise your human and Christian dignity in order to maximize your pleasure. You are saved, holy, royal, priestly, and precious (see 1 Pt 2:9). Live in the dignity of an adopted child of God, sharing in the divine nature (2 Pt 1:4). "Christian, recognize your dignity and, now that you share in God's own nature, do not return to your former base condition by sinning. Remember Who is your Head and of Whose body you are a member" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1691).
| PRAYER: | Father, may I never live below my dignity. |
| PROMISE: | "God is rich in mercy; because of His great love for us He brought us to life with Christ when we were dead in sin." –Eph 2:4-5 |
| PRAISE: | Born in Syria, St. Ignatius of Antioch converted to Christianity and became Bishop of Antioch. Rather than deny Christ, he bravely faced the lions in the Circus Maximus. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College