Made in the image of God

Each and every human being is made in the image of God.
This has nothing to do with appearance or any physical properties.
This has to do with spiritual capabilities.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (hereafter “CCC”)
lists these capabilities in paragraph #357:

“Being in the image of God the human individual … is:
capable of self-knowledge,
(capable) of self-possession and
(capable) of freely giving himself and
(capable of) entering into communion with other persons.”

CAPABLE OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE
Being made in the image of God, you are capable
of recognizing your own unique existence.

From the beginning of time, to now, to the end of time;
there never has been, is not, and never will be
another person exactly like you;
with exactly your DNA, your experiences, your personality, your soul.
You are beyond precious. You are beyond rare.
You are unique. In all the universe, in all of time, you are unique.

CAPABLE OF SELF-POSSESSION
We are capable of developing control of ourselves.

It is not easy. It is a life long process
with many attempts and failures along the way.
In fact, we spend most of our lives partially in control of ourselves
and partially slaves to our emotions, our whims, our sinfulness.
I certainly know I cannot achieve any self control without God’s help.

But as human beings, we all have
the potential, the capacity for self control.

CAPABLE OF FREELY GIVING HIMSELF
As human beings, once we can control ourselves, even partially,
we can choose to give ourselves in service to others.

Think of those who volunteer for the military,
as firemen, as policemen, as priests and nuns.
They choose to serve the rest of us, to give of themselves.

CAPABLE OF ENTERING INTO COMMUNION WITH OTHER PERSONS
Once we have developed our capacity to recognize our individuality,
developed our capacity to control ourselves;
developed our capacity to give of ourselves;
then we can enter into communion with others.

To understand communion check out Communion Explained