Beautiful Vessels

We are familiar with the biblical theme of “the Potter and the Clay” as referenced over one hundred times throughout Scripture. Among the many spiritual themes involved with the image of God as Divine Potter is the message that we are lovingly and magnificently created in God’s own likeness (Gen 1:27). We were created to contain the very breath of God (Gen 2:7). This is the source of our dignity. This is our identity.

Too often in our society young people are given a different message. They are told that their worth depends on their outward beauty, their possessions, their abilities, their zip code, and how many friends they have on facebook. As a result, they can question their worth as a person if they are not the most physically attractive in their class, if they do not own the latest iPhone, or if they are not popular. As parents and Catholic educators, we have the opportunity to remind our children that their beauty and their worth as a person goes much deeper than superficial beauty, possessions, and what the world perceives about us.

Each of us is a personal creation of the Divine Potter who designed us to serve a purpose in this world. Each of us, as a vessel for God’s breath of life, will serve the Potter’s design in a different way. St. Paul reminds us that there are a variety of gifts that we are called to share for the good of all (1 Cor 12:4). Each of us is beautifully made to share and pour out upon others the unique gifts we have been given. Our beauty, our purpose in life, our identity comes from the Divine Potter. Each vessel is beautiful. Each vessel is precious to the Potter.
   

Lord God, You are the Divine Potter. We are the clay, the work of your hands. You have fashioned us as earthen vessels to carry within us the treasure of your presence.
 
Help us to trust in your loving hands to shape us, to heal us when we are broken, and to fill our emptiness when we feel lost. Lord, shape us to serve you and be your witnesses to the ends of the earth. Amen.

 
Your partner in learning and faith,
 

Mrs. Pahl, Principal