October 2, 2026

Guest Column / Richard Etienne

Who are you? Reflecting on our role as adopted children of God

Richard EtienneIf you were asked to describe yourself, how would you respond?

Would you first share something about your employment, your education or your family status?

“I am the father of …, I am married to …, I am from a family of so many children …, I have the following degrees …, I received the (insert a prestigious award here) once.

Or would you immediately think of your place in the family of God?

St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians reads, “In love, he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ …” (Eph 1:5).

There is a tight rope that we, as Christians, walk. Yes, we are broken and sinful. But, thanks to the risen Lord, we are also wonderfully made in God’s image and have become his adopted children!

God delights in us, and we are told that we are his beloved. I can’t think of a better piece of information to put into an “elevator speech” when introducing oneself. Who knows, it might be the entrance to a meaningful conversation about faith!

As baptized members of the mystical body of Christ, we are all called to be “priests, prophets and kings” according to the very words of the rite of baptism. We have been anointed with the oil of salvation, which empowers us to do wonderful things! And if any member of his body is missing, the rest of the body suffers from that absence from the group.

In St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, we read, “If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; … [So] now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it” (1 Cor 12:26-27).

Therefore, yes, our physical bodies are actual temples of God. We carry within us the Holy Spirit which directs and guides us if we listen for direction. What could be more important in our role as adopted children of God?

So, how will you describe yourself the next time that someone asks: “Please, tell me about yourself”?
 

(Richard Etienne has a degree in theology from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad and resides in Newburgh, Ind.) †

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