Shuck 7-13-24: Respecting the dignity of others

What makes us deserving of our human dignity? Are we always cognizant of the vulnerably and value of everyone, or do we gauge our measure of people’s worth on external things? What determines the criterion on which we place our evaluation of someone?

I began to ponder the subject of honoring “everyone” as I observed people lined up at the local food pantries, those picking up their monthly government checks and others that were forced to take menial jobs, just to get by. They were not in high positions, at the top of the social ladder, and were barely etching out a living for their families. Many found it, difficult to hold their heads up with pride. I felt such empathy for them and I asked, “How do we perceive them — those that are downtrodden, handicapped, those on welfare, those living in shabby homes, and scraping to get by? Do we look on people with lessor education, insufficient skill levels, that have lost jobs, and others living below the poverty level with disdain, or do we treat them as equals, deserving of respect and recognition 0f their human dignity? I hope we realize the pain, embarrassment and sense of failure that many of those who have to ask for help experience. We need to only slip their shoes on our feet for a while, and see how it must feel to be standing on the lowest rung of the ladder trying to hold on and lift oneself up, just a little higher with each step.

I have previously written, referencing “the golden rule,” a Christian Scripture that I often heard escaping from my parents’ mouths, as I grew up. Matthew 7:12 says “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” To meditate deeply on the passage can bring anyone to their knees. The words can have a profound effect on how we are to treat others. It doesn’t tell us to become hurt or angry if others fail to treat us respectfully, or to get even with those that demean us. We only need to control our own tongues and let God do the judging. What a load that advice takes off our shoulders. Mom and dad scolded us if they heard me or my brother speak disrespectfully or mean to anyone. They would ask us how we would feel if someone, talked to or injured, us in that way. Consequently, we felt guilty if we thought that we had hurt someone, and we, children accused our parents of using Catholic guilt to discipline us.

Most can agree that how they are treated has an abundant influence on their self-esteem, their dignity and feelings of being loved. Respect from others is a momentous indicator pointing to how we feel about ourselves. In turn, we must attempt to hold on to our self-dignity. Why? According to Nicholas Sachs, blogger, “Dignity is the inherent worth and value of a person. It has nothing to do with our actions or circumstances. Everyone is born with it. Respect is showing esteem or deference for someone — showing regard for their worth and abilities.”

When we give to a charity, to the homeless, or to a relative or friend, do we perform the acts with genuine joy, or with a sensation of selfish pride? Do we raise others up or shove them farther down by the way we talk to and treat them.

God placed prime value on the value of the human person. There are numerous Bible passages authenticating our value. One of the most vivid statements embedded in my memory is found in Genesis 1:27. “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God.” Our value does not lie in anything more profound than the fact that we were all made in the image of God, the creator. Everyone is special and deserving of love and respect. Our dignity is most important because without recognizing and highly esteeming ourselves, we dry up. We can be the water that quinces the thirst for someone that needs it, or we can do nothing to elevate him from his state of hopelessness -- into one of optimism and expectation.

Ellen Shuck holds degrees in psychology, religious education and spiritual direction. She is the author of the book, “Wisdom for the Journey.”