I have thought a great deal about and studied the concept of human dignity throughout my lifetime. But I was recently immersed in a situation where the concept of human dignity came face-to-face with reality.

I am not a development director. But, I have been influenced by the Dave Ramsey model in my understanding of personal finance and was always known to having been quite frugal with my spending habits.

When we are baptized, the priest or deacon proclaims that we have become “priest, prophet and king.” What could this word “prophet” mean in a concrete way for you and me as we go about our lives each day, as St. Luke repeatedly says in his Gospel?

Are you basically a “loner” at your core? Do you believe that a person can do almost everything by his or her own efforts with little help from others? As a citizen of the United States, you are probably not alone if you hold such personal beliefs.

Are you a contemplative? Do you find peace in quiet or in soft instrumental music? Does silent prayer time renew you? Have you put any effort into studying the art of mindfulness?

In the Gospel of Matthew, we read, “So let your light shine for all to see” (Mt 5:16). So, what talent or resource do you have that you have never truly shared with your family, parish, local community or even the larger world?

How do you start your day? Do you stumble in to start the coffee maker? Do you turn on the news to see what larger community and world situations will need your possible attention and prayer during the day?

Is Scripture intimidating to you? I have learned that many fellow Catholics don’t always read the Scriptures routinely outside the celebration of the eucharistic liturgy. And even if you wished to be more familiar with every book in sacred Scripture, then there is the eternal question: Where would you start?

In what hobbies, sports, organizations or lifestyles do you metaphorically have your “toe in the water” or have minimal commitment or involvement? In which ones are you “fully in”?

As is sometimes quoted, “The only thing in life that is constant is change.” And if you are blessed with a long life, you will see great changes in your lifetime. I am 64. I was born in 1960. (Stay with me here: there is a reason for talking about myself briefly.)

I recently heard a homily about the early Church and how St. Paul and St. Peter had to reconcile their different concepts of their fledgling Christian religion. The homilist pointed to three key issues to ponder, like these earliest leaders of the Church approached the key roadblocks in their newly formed community.

Do you dream? Are those dreams—as Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol believed—just a piece of undigested meat or potato? Or could your dreams be another tool for God to offer direction in your life?

Do you ever wonder what God could possibly see in you? Too often, I believe, individuals focus on their negative elements and don’t see the overwhelming positive evidence in the remainder of their total person.