Dignity and beauty

Translated from the original by Ana Giménez.

The first thing you find when you enter into the Castle, inside yourself, is the great dignity and beauty of the human being. The person is sacred. No matter how many mistakes we may have made, no matter how much harm we may have inflicted to others…Your dignity can´t be taken from you by anyone.

Your dignity and beauty. We are a beauty, we have been created * (and brought up, says Teresa) to God’s image and likeness. We will discover this marvel in fullness in the Seventh Mansions. You are a live portrait of Christ dead and risen.

A God who wants to communicate with you and the very first thing He does is to help you to stand up, He recognizes you worthy to talk to Him. Yahweh always tells the prophet Ezekiel: son of man, “Stand up on your feet”. To stand up in the Bible means Resurrection. That’s why Jesus of Nazareth used to help people stand on their feet. If you believe and live this, your resurrection has already started.

Discover your beauty and dignity without fear. Start to love yourself as God loves you and when you meet someone, admire his/her dignity and beauty. They are sacred, as you are. You´ll see the moral consequences in their eyes: Nobody can be abused or violated. Their rights must be respected. They are sacred, worthy and beautiful human beings. You will protect the poor and the down-and-outer, regardless race or colour. Their dignity and beauty is so big that you may be prepared to give your life for one of them. If you are respected and valued, do the same.

Look to your neighbour and to yourself as a wonder of creation.

*In Spanish created (creados) and brought up (criados) have the same root and are very similar words.