As a result of the raging political wars which contradict and even condemn morality, it is difficult to grasp the almost intangible reality that man is made in the image and likeness of God. Nonetheless, this does not diminish the inalienable dignity which God infused into Man’s soul at the moment of conception. The present culture often values a person based on their ability to contribute to society, rather than in one’s dignity endowed by God. Man’s true value consists in his dignity, which is found in his likeness to God through his immortal soul, intellect, and relationship with others.

Man’s reflection of God’s image is found in the immortal soul. St. Thomas Aquinas said, “The likeness of God is either a quality of this image, or it is the state of the soul as spiritual, not subject to decay or dissolution” (Summa Theologica, 93). It is the immortal soul which reflects our Eternal Father. Since God’s likeness is imprinted in our very being, the individual has a dignity which is incomparable to that of other creatures. Therefore, all humans deserve the same level of respect since every individual is endowed with a soul which reflects the nature of the greatest Being in the universe.

Another important characteristic of Man, which reflects God’s image, is the intellect. The intellect provides one with the capacity to make decisions which shape one’s life, and to know God by both comprehending and accepting His teachings. The current culture, however, upholds the intellect as the means to prove worth and obtain positions of power and influence in society. In contrast to this twisted conception of the intellect, St. John Paul II stated: “In effect, beyond the rights which man acquires by his own work, there exist rights which do not correspond to any work he performs, but which flow from his essential dignity as a person” (Centesimus Annus, 11). Therefore, the intellect gives Man value, not because it enables one to contribute to society, but rather because it is a gift from the Creator which reflects His own attributes.

Another way in which Man reflects the image and likeness of God is through his relationship with others. In the book of Genesis, God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26). In this quote, it is evident that God made man in the image of the relationship of the Blessed Trinity. We reflect this beautiful reality through our participation in community and personal relationship with others. Just as one has an inclination towards personal relationships, so does God also desire a personal relationship with the individual. God’s desire for a personal relationship is a sign of our dignity. Consider a theoretical poor person who befriends a king, president, or other famous person: that person then feels more dignified since he has the capacity to establish a relationship with someone who is greater than him. However, “Human dignity is an undeserved gift, not an earned status.”(Rev. J. Daniel Mindling, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, John Paul II: Dying with Dignity). That being the case, all of Mankind possesses a dignity which is obtained through God’s unconditional love rather than conditional love of Man.

In conclusion, if the culture understood the true value of human life, abortion, euthanasia, suicide, and discrimination against individuals with physical and mental disorders would be universally inconceivable. With a true understanding of what it means to be created in God’s image and likeness, one can grow a greater appreciation for all human life, from conception until natural death, despite the culture’s rapidly evaporating morals. St. John Paul II wrote in Evangelium Vitae, “This saving event [the Incarnation] reveals to humanity not only the boundless love of God who ‘so loved the world that he gave his only Son’ (Jn 3:16), but also the incomparable value of every human person.” (Evangelium Vitae, 2). That being the case, Man’s unfathomable dignity stretches from the abyss of daily life to the heights of heaven.