We have received this great gift because we are all like and a part of God and he gives us the ability and strength to "Grow in virtue, avoid sin, and if [we] sin, entrust [ourselves] as did the prodigal son to the mercy of our Father in heaven" 1.
Our fundamental dignity can be enhanced or diminished by our actions through our life. Our dignity will always be with us yet like a light bulb attached to a dimmer switch we can make it brighter and enhance it by good deeds or make it darker and diminish our dignity with hateful actions. Our dignity lies within our souls, which is the spirit part of our being "infused into the body" 2 it is our essence.
The battle between good and evil has been around since the creation and continues on today. Satan, also known as "diabolus" or "the father of all lies" 3 , tempts us, each and everyday in many ways, to turn away from God and do what he wishes and create pain and suffering in the world. When Jesus came into this world he said that his ministry was working directly against Satan and his control over the world with deception, hatred, injustice, oppression and illness of body and mind. 4 God through Jesus has showed us the evil around us and how to protect ourselves from it, yes it is a constant struggle with the devil.
Terrorist attacks are happening everyday and although we are concerned and saddened, they mostly take place overseas in countries like Afghanistan and we have become accustomed to think it is not directly affecting us. Of course this evil does affect us and with the US attack, it really hit home. Many of us have friends and relatives who live and work in New York and were touched by the tragedy. Countless men and women lost their lives because these terrorists believed what they were doing was right and what god would want them to do. According to their religious book, they believed that if they killed themselves while trying to save the world from evil, which they considered the US, they would be rewarded in heaven.