Who are You?

“But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.” John 1:12

            I recently heard a homily where the priest asked a few questions. Apparently, the questions were from a TV show called Babylon 5. The questions are very relevant to our lives today. I have often heard them but forget that I should continue to ask myself these questions. The first one was “Who are you?” The answer to this question seems obvious at first. I am Duncan Clarence Tiemeyer. I am a brother, a son, and a friend. I am a student, sometimes a teacher, and a coach. I am a sinner, I am a Catholic. It is true that I am all these things and many more.  However, before anything else I am a child of God.

            You are also a child of God! And I am sure you have heard this before! But what does this mean to be one of God’s children? Christ gave us the grace and ability to become His adopted children. Most children are innocent, accepting, and loving. They trust their parents and follow them everywhere. This is because their parents have shown then how to love. Children know that their parents love them unconditionally.  Similarly, this is how God loves His children. It is important that you fully understand how God loves you. Sometimes you must think like a child and realize that God loves you and wants to love you. Just like children are dependent on their parents, we must be dependent on God! God wants us to trust him with all we have, to do that we must depend on him with all we have! I have mentioned this in previous posts but God Loves you more then you will ever know. God loves you so much that He became man and died on the cross. God loves you so much that He created you even though He knew you would sin against Him.

          I would also like to discuss the following quote: "you are what you do repeatedly.” This quote is attributed to Aristotle though it is just a paraphrase from Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. I found this concept very interesting. At first, I wanted to disagree. However, the longer I thought about it the more accurate I felt it was. If we develop bad habits we almost let ourselves become those habits. I think this phrase is true though it is missing something. We are not just our repeated actions; the human person has an identity and dignity given to us by God. We are more than just our habits.

We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures, we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of His Son Jesus. – Pope John Paul II

          I think a lot of times I have defined myself by what I can or can’t do. When I do this, I become more of a sinner than anything else. Perhaps you do this as well. I am NOT my weaknesses and failures. I am a beloved child of God and a temple of the Holy Spirit. You are also a child of God. You deserve all the respect that goes along with that.

          Now if you are reading this really ask yourself “Who am I?” If the answer that comes to mind isn’t something that deserves dignity, you have the power to change it. If you are feeling weak, you can do something about this. You are strong because Christ gives you strength. Take it to prayer and ask the Lord to convert your heart till you believe it.

Just My thoughts.

Duncan Tiemeyer

Go With God.