Lay Life in a Year

52 Reflections on JPII's vision for the Laity

Week 45 – Human Dignity Can Never Be Taken Away!

A couple of weeks ago, I went on a pilgrimage to Rome, unsure what I was looking for—peace, clarity, maybe both. But as God often does, He surprised me. I met a priest who shared something that cut through the noise of life: no matter what divides us—politics, disagreements, or hurt—we all share the same foundation: our God-given dignity.

His words hit me hard.

It’s too easy to see others only through a lens of differences, forgetting that every person is made in the image and likeness of God.

Pope St. John Paul II reminds us that human dignity is the cornerstone of a full life.

Without it, division spreads, and unity feels impossible.

But when we honor the dignity God has given each of us, transformation begins. Disagreements lose their weight, patience grows, and joy starts to return.

The challenge is simple yet profound: where in your life can you start? Pray for one person you struggle to connect with. Ask God to help you see them as He does.

When we build on the foundation of Christ and His gift of dignity, everything changes—one prayer, one choice, one step at a time.

Let’s begin.

Lay Life in a Year Overview

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Week 44 – Family, Hope, and A Little Wink

My dad was the youngest of seven, so our family celebrations were raucous. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and even random neighbors piled up around the dinner table, and everyone talked—loudly . As the youngest with the smallest voice, I often felt overlooked. The...

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Week 43 – Evangelizing Ourselves: The Key To Loving God

Going on a mission trip is deeply impactful. I remember years ago, when I was much younger, my home parish took a trip to Eastern Kentucky to serve the poor. It was eye opening in ways that I could have never anticipated. Yet, while the trip changed me, it didn’t...

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Week 42 – The Missing Piece to Passing on the Faith

There have been times when I’ve tried so hard to share my faith but felt like I was missing something. I wasn’t sure where I was going wrong until I had a conversation with my older sister. She helped me see that I wanted to follow God, but I wasn’t giving it my all—I...

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