Catholic Central Catholic Central hosts Kaiser Johnson and Libby Slater. Copyright 2017 Family Theater Productions. Used with permission. All rights reserved.[/caption] We know that parents have their hands full keeping bored, homebound kids stimulated and learning – and that includes their Catholic faith. Each weekday, we’re highlighting another snackable, entertaining and informative (or, as we like to say ‘enterforming’) episode and offering some of the information available at CatholicCentral.com. More now than ever, we want to be central to your faith! CC-being human Copyright 2020 Catholic Central/Family Theater Productions. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Exploring the Ups and Downs of ‘Being Human’ With Catholic Central It’s hard to keep your humanity and your humor during these tough times, but this episode of Catholic Central has both! Explore what it means to be a human being and a child of God … go to CatholicCentral.com for links and a downloadable transcript and activities. Being Human explores what it means to be a human person, both in terms of science and as Christians. This includes the idea of being made in the image and likeness of God, our capacity for love, our need for community, the ways in which we create and communicate, and our eternal destiny. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0Qm3a9sQQw

Diving Deeper

  1. How a person thinks about what humanity is shapes perspectives on relationships and life. What do you think makes us human? Is it knowledge, curiosity, the arts, mercy, compassion, forgiveness or technology?
  2. Saint Irenaeus wrote: Gloria dei, homo vivens.“The Glory of God is man fully alive.” What does it mean for a person to be fully alive? What gets in the way of feeling fully alive? When have you felt most authentic and alive?
  3. Kai and Libby remind us that Catholics believe that we are made in the image and likeness of God – the imago dei. Psalm 139 says God “formed our inmost beings,” and that we are “wonderfully made.” Ask yourself: When are times when I have felt strongly convinced of this? When are times when this realization has been a struggle for me?

Activity

Discovering our humanity: Make time to perform one of the Corporal Works of Mercy this week (feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visit the imprisoned …). Focus on whom you are feeding, clothing, visiting, etc., rather than what you are giving or providing them. While doing one of the Works of Mercy, get to know the name and something about the person you are assisting.

Reflection by Father Vince Kuna, C.S.C.

God created human beings, and He loves us – which is amazing, since we often don’t feel that lovable. We yearn for community and connection with others, and then don’t know how to do it. The upside is, it’s always been that way. St. Paul struggled with his own contradictory nature – and Jesus appeared directly to him. So, be kind to yourself, and understand that, to quote Alexander Pope, “to err is human; to forgive, divine.”
Copyright 2020 Family Theater Productions

About the Author

Catholic Central

Catholic Central

“Catholic Central” hosts Kai and Libby take their Catholic faith seriously but not themselves, entertaining and informing viewers on Church history and doctrine. Fun and fact-filled, Gabriel Award-winning episodes address a wide range of topics and questions. We want to be central to your faith. Watch, laugh and learn!