You’re One of a Kind!

Pilgrim:  “Francis, you’re one of a kind!"

Pope Francis:  “So are you.  You're one of a kind, too!  There are no two people like you."

That brief exchange in Saint Peter’s Square this morning says it all.  It expresses in personal terms the principle that underlies God’s relationship with us and our relationships with each other – the dignity of the human person.  Because, we believe, we’re created in the image and likeness of God, we all have a dignity bestowed on us by God that can never be taken away.  Respecting that dignity is our way of honoring the source of our dignity and thanking God for that gift. 

The Pilgrim and the Pope are acknowledging each other as special in the eyes of God and, therefore, in each other’s eyes.  They’re respecting each other’s dignity.  But they’re also acknowledging each other’s uniqueness.  While we all have dignity, each of us also has unique gifts bestowed on us by God.  We are, in fact, one of a kind.  In return for these gifts, God asks us to use them for the benefit of others – to promote the dignity of others.  And there’s no shortage of opportunities to do so.  If you can knit, you can make hats to warm the heads of cancer patients; if you can make balloon animals, you can put a smile on a child's face; if you’re a great hugger, you can warm the heart of someone who is sad.  The list is endless. 

The exchange between the Pope and the Pilgrim made me think of all of the people who share their gifts with me.  Each person helps me in his or her own unique and special way.  I'm grateful to God for putting them in my life, and I'm grateful to them for ministering to me.  So I say to each of you, “Thank you!  You’re one of a kind!”

Click here to see a video of the Pope’s exchange with the Pilgrim.