More than once in your lives, you’ve probably asked “Who am I?” or “Why am I here?”
A perk of being a Catholic is the Church has the answers to questions like that.
While it might not be taught to the letter anymore, as Catholics, our purpose on this Earth is to know, love, and serve God.
That task, composed of just a few words, should be simple, but there are always more questions being asked.
The most common one starts with or contains the word “how” asked interrogatively.
Answering the ‘how’s
The “knowing” is somewhat simple. One can read a lot. You can read the Bible. You can read books on the life of Christ by the late Pope Benedict XVI. You can read The Imitation of Christ. You can do a lot of things to “know” him if knowledge is all you are after. Your prayer life can help you grow in familiarity with him, but there are easy-to-describe steps to “know” him.
You can come up with simple answers to “serve” him too. This is where volunteering comes in. You can serve a meal to the needy. You can help the unemployed find a job. If you’re so gifted and blessed, you can give health care to those who can’t afford it. It’s not impossible or hard to live out the “you did it to me” moments in your life.
But, what about the middle one? What about love? You kind of have to do that one also. Without that one, the others are meaningless and disconnected. Maybe there is a reason that one was mentioned in the middle where it holds everything together.
How can we, in a deliberate effort, “love” God?
Finding love
As we commonly do, we’re putting ourselves in the middle of this task, but it’s really not about us.
It’s about he who loves us.
How do you love him?
Here’s a reflection to help you answer that.
Think about the worst thing you have ever done. Think about your worst sin. Think about your worst offense against God and/or neighbor.
You know you’ll need to be punished for that. You know there needs to be some sort of justice. You may have already served some of that penalty out, but it pales in comparison to the ultimate price you’ll need to pay for the wrong you did.
Now, look up at the crucifix.
See Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, being put to death and dying on the cross.
See him after he’s been beaten and tortured.
He’s up on that cross dying. His head is hanging down in death and he has been crucified.
That punishment you deserve? He’s just taken it on for you. Everything you ultimately deserve for what you’ve done he’s carried the burden on.
The punishment for sin, the punishment for the worst thing you’ve ever done is death, and he has died FOR you.
That’s love.
That’s love.
How can you not love him back?
Don’t focus so much on the how when it comes to wondering how you can love Jesus.
Focus on the fact that he loved you first. Focus on the fact that he still loves you.
Focus on the fact that he’s made the first move to love. How do you love him? All you have to say is “I love you too.”
Repaying the debt
His selfless act of love is eternal and unconditional.
How can we possibly return the favor? Love God and love others.
We know him. We love him. We can serve him.
Let that love you have for him, knowing what he did for you, guide you every day.
These words are not meant to be legal advice. The Almighty can’t take care of your speeding tickets for you, but he can take care of you. He can take care of your soul which will live long after your offenses have been committed.
If you are truly sorry and repentant over what you have done, God’s love is there, available, and can guide you the rest of the way.
It is what we are commanded to do — love him.
If you need a reminder of that love and a command of what to do next, remember these words:
“Neither do I condemn you. Go . . . do not sin any more.” (cf. John 8:10, NABRE)
Thank you for reading.
I’m praying for you.