Who Are You? A VIP

This past Saturday I gave a Spirit Day retreat to forty-six eighth graders. I told them that I had recently watched the movie "The Lion King" again. In it Simba's father states this memorable line to his son:  "Remember who you are."  Simba is from a line of kings who someday will be responsible for ruling his land. Who are we? We are beings created by the almighty God and belong to him. As such we are noble creatures with an innate dignity. We are children of God, adopted at baptism, who have heaven for our inheritance. Therefore we are beloved sons and daughters of God. We are Christians, committed to Jesus and following the way he taught, or at least trying to. We are his friends and disciples. (The word means "students" or "apprentices.") From our baptism we share in Christ's mission as prophet, priest, and king. As prophet, we speak God's word; as priest, we offer sacrifice for the world; and as king, we are a royal people. We are all Most Valuable Players. But on some days we don't feel like all those glorious things. We make mistakes. People criticize or ignore us. We are frightened or cowardly. Our self-esteem is burst like a bubble. Then it is a challenge to remember who we are.  Click to continue