Monday, January 14, 2013
412. On what is human equality based?
(Comp 412) All persons enjoy equal
dignity and fundamental rights insofar as they are created in the image of the
one God, are endowed with the same rational soul, have the same nature and
origin, and are called in Christ, the one and only Savior, to the same divine
beatitude.
“In brief”
(CCC 1945) The equality of men concerns their dignity as
persons and the rights that flow from it.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 1934) Created in the image of the one God and equally
endowed with rational souls, all men have the same nature and the same origin.
Redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ, all are called to participate in the same
divine beatitude: all therefore enjoy an equal dignity. (CCC 1935 The equality
of men rests essentially on their dignity as persons and the rights that flow
from it: Every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental
personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions,
language, or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God's
design (GS 29 § 2).
Reflection
(CCC 225) It means
knowing the unity and true dignity of all men: everyone is made in the
image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26). (CCC 357) Being in the image of God the
human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something,
but someone. He is capable of self-knowledge, of self-possession and of freely
giving himself and entering into communion with other persons. And he is called
by grace to a covenant with his Creator, to offer him a response of faith and love
that no other creature can give in his stead. (CCC 358) God created everything
for man (Cf. GS 12 § 1; 24 § 3; 39 § 1),
but man in turn was created to serve and love God and to offer all
creation back to him: What is it that is about to be created, that enjoys such
honour? It is man that great and wonderful living creature, more precious in
the eyes of God than all other creatures! For him the heavens and the earth,
the sea and all the rest of creation exist. God attached so much importance to
his salvation that he did not spare his own Son for the sake of man. Nor does
he ever cease to work, trying every possible means, until he has raised man up
to himself and made him sit at his right hand (St. John Chrysostom, In Gen. sermo II, 1: PG 54, 587D-588A).
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