I Believe in Beauty by Holly, 18

As the “culture of death” becomes increasingly prominent in our society, true beauty has lost center stage in the lives of many. I’m not saying I subscribe to the idealistic view that we need to create a utopian society, but rather we need to reclaim the redeeming beauty of Christ— the beauty of Truth. As I was perusing Leah Darrow’s blog the other day I found this quote that really resonated with me: “Reclaiming beauty is not about rejecting culture, but lifting it up to the level of personhood”.

Beauty in our society has become so far skewed from the natural order of things that it has deeply wounded many people. Secular culture values beauty as a selfish, pleasure-seeking beauty that causes us to withdraw into ourselves and fail to recognize the needs of the people around us. The definition of beauty in the twenty-first century is about glorification of self. How do I do more to become more successful? How do I change my appearance to become more attractive to others? These thoughts occupy our heads constantly. And while such things as maintaining a good appearance and setting goals are good and truly important in moderation, when they  become the center of our lives we begin living inwardly and  lose the ability to see beauty at the level of personhood. I find this issue increasingly relevant in the lives of young adults.

I recently completed my first semester of college. What really surprised me was the amount of time everyone spends transfixed by their phones. I witnessed students and professors alike glued to their phones while walking around campus, in line at the coffee shop, before lectures start, and basically all the time. The self- serving mentality that has erupted from the culture of death has trickled down into the day to day interactions of regular places like a college campus. Because of this, we are failing to recognize the beauty and value of the lives and souls of those around us simply because we are limiting ourselves to the fleeting satisfaction of outlets like social media.

Our journey as young adults, especially as college students, is an important time to really begin discovering who we are called to be in Jesus Christ. But how are we ever going to achieve this mission if our primary focus is how our hair looks or who posted the best pictures on instagram today? We are called to more! Part of this self-discovery involves allowing ourselves to love—to be open to other people and build up the gifts bestowed upon us at baptism to uplift the Body of Christ. Our brothers and sisters are a gift, allowing us to seek the beauty of Christ through the mystery and unique nature of each person that we come in contact with!

Reclaiming beauty can change our culture. This certainly means working for an end to abortion, advocating for natural family planning and plenty of prayer. But on its most basic level, reclaiming beauty means living as a testimony to the truth that we have found in our faith, and seeking that truth in the lives and hearts of the people around us. I am not saying that everyone needs to give up social media or never wear makeup. These things are good and have their place. However to lift beauty from the level of culture to the level of personhood, we need a change of focus— a new mentality living with our gaze outwardly fixed and open to seeking beauty in truth. Reclaim beauty in your life and the lives of others. Go to that coffee shop and listen to how someone’s day is going in person, affirm someone on their good work or their personality traits, try something new in order to learn more about someone else—do anything that helps you seek the beauty in other people. Above all, seek beauty in the Truth and joyfully witness to the Gospel.

Take the time to value every person’s life that you come in contact with, recognizing the beauty that is Christ in their very essence as a person.