Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The dignity of the Human person exists as the foundational theme of the Social teaching of the Catholic church. This dignity is reserved to only that aspect of creation which is made in the image and likeness of God. Recently, some have given an erroneous interpretation to some papal documents by holding that material creation, the environment, is on the same level or even the same as human nature. The scriptural basis for this unique dignity can be found in many places one being from today’s first reading from the book of Wisdom.
For God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made him.
This dignity of the human condition has been the foundation of both the church’s teaching and its various works, particularly the works of education and health care. This does not mean that the environment may be abused, rather it is created to assist in supporting the dignity of the human person. The clarity of St. Ignatius’ first principle and foundation establishes the primacy of the relationship between God and the human person and the role of creation in assisting in advancing this relationship. One does not abuse how one attains a goal. Therefore, the dignity of the human person helps us to understand the importance of the environment since it is by this means that we move towards God.