Human beings are made in God’s image and likeness as male and female. This means that every human being possesses intrinsic dignity because he or she is made in God’s image. Every person is called to cooperate with the grace of God and to pursue holiness. Rather than attaining perfect holiness at a set moment in our lives, we are always in a state of becoming the person God is calling us to be. Adolescence in particular is a time of rapid growth, physically, sexually, emotionally, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. Faced with many challenges as we navigate this period of life, we are called to remain close to God, to rely on the example of the saints and the assistance of others, and to grow and mature into the person God calls us to be.

Made in God’s Image and Likeness

Human beings are made in God’s image and likeness. This makes the human person unique in all of creation. No other creature possesses the gift of being made in God’s image. Therefore, we have a unique dignity because we are made like God. This also means we are capable of certain things that God is capable of. First of all, we can know ourselves. We can reflect on our memories, our personality, and our behavior. Secondly, we have the gift of free will, meaning we can choose our actions and control ourselves. Finally, we are able to give of our time and our energies to other people out of love. These are called reason or intellect, free will, and the capacity for love. We are valuable simply because we exist. God created us out of love, and He sustains us by His love. Our dignity does not depend on anything we do. There is nothing we can do to make God love us any more or any less. Every single person is valuable because he or she is loved by God. And we are called to nurture our relationship with God in prayer.

We are also made to be in relationship with one another. We recognize that we are united in one human family, and we commit ourselves to working toward the good of others. The Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 1878 tells us: “Love of neighbor is inseparable from love for God.”

Human Growth

Human beings grow and mature in many ways: physically, sexually, emotionally, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. In all of these areas of human life, we are called to pursue holiness. God’s grace is available to help us attain holiness and the perfect happiness of heaven. As our bodies grow physically and sexually, we are called to recognize the dignity of the human body, made male or female, in God’s plan for human life. The gifts of masculinity and femininity are unique to each and come to fruition differently in each person. It is important for us to learn the difference between real love (in chastity) and using others. We are called to have custody of our emotions and to use our intellect and will to direct out feelings towards the good. We are called to be gifts of self to others and to practice virtue in our relationships with friends, family, and God.

There are many challenges to human growth. We need to rely on God and to seek the help we need in order to successfully grow successfully in holiness and maturity. Prayer and Scripture, spiritual mentors, good friends, family, and the Sacraments (especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation) are powerful aids to our journey through life.