Part I
There is a crisis of self-esteem today, such that many people, especially young people, do not think well of themselves. They lack an appreciation of their dignity as human beings made in the image of God, and this creates many problems, such as self-loathing, an inability to receive criticism constructively, and a refusal to believe in the love God has for them. In this series of three articles, Abbot Austin G. Murphy, OSB, shows how Catholic doctrine and the liturgy offer a response to this crisis.
Part II
Just as a bride wears a beautiful dress to celebrate that she is loved rather than to try to earn the groom’s love, so we are to do good works to celebrate that we are loved by God rather than to earn his love. This is what happens when we have self-esteem based on knowing that we are wonderfully made and loved by God.
Part III
In this third and final installment of a series on doctrine, liturgy, and self-esteem, Abbot AustinMurphy shows how a dignity rooted in the image of God avoids“self-worship” and, through priestly sacrifice and covenant, leads instead to communion with God and his people.
Abbot Austin G. Murphy, OSB, is the former Benedictine abbot of St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, IL. He earned an MA in Theology from the Dominican House ofStudies in Washington,DC, and a PhD in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. He is the author of the book, Emotional Holiness: Discovering the Divine Plan for Your Human Emotions (Our SundayVisitor, 2025). He currently resides at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison, KS, and teaches theology at Benedictine College.
