Introduction
There are moments when I pause and wonder about the bigger picture. I ask myself, “Why am I here? What is my purpose?” Sometimes I think this while in a state of disassociation. In a world that sometimes feels chaotic and random, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that life is just a series of accidents. But when I turn to my Catholic faith, I’m reminded that my life is far from accidental. It’s intentional, meaningful, and deeply rooted in God’s love and purpose for me.
I Am Created in God’s Image
One of the most profound truths I hold onto is that I am created in the image of God. This isn’t just a lofty idea—it’s a reality that shapes how I see myself and others. When I read Genesis 1:27, “So God created mankind in His image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them,” I am reminded that I carry a piece of the divine within me.
This belief gives me a sense of worth and dignity that is unshakable. It tells me that I am more than my mistakes, more than my successes, and more than what the world might label me as. I am loved and valued simply because I exist. This understanding also shapes how I interact with others. If I am created in God’s image, then so is everyone else. It calls me to treat others with the same respect and love that God has for me.
Trusting in Divine Providence
There’s something incredibly comforting about believing in divine providence. The idea that God is actively involved in my life, guiding me, and watching over me, fills me with a sense of peace. It reassures me that nothing happens by chance. Even in the moments when life feels uncertain or overwhelming, I trust that God has a plan.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:29-31 resonate deeply with me: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” These words remind me that God knows me intimately and cares for every detail of my life.
I try to remember that God’s hand is at work whenever I face challenges or disappointments, even if I can’t see the whole situation. I know that I will always experience difficulties in life, but just meditating on the thought gives me the strength to move forward with the knowledge that God always has my back.
The Sanctity of My Life
As a convert to the Catholic Church, I hold a deep conviction that my life—and every life—is sacred. This belief is not just about valuing life from the point of conception to natural death, but recognizing that it is a gift from God. From the moment of my conception to my last breath, my life is precious and meaningful.
Pope Saint John Paul II’s words in his encyclical, Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) have always struck a chord with me: “Human life is sacred and inviolable at every moment of existence, including the initial phase which precedes birth.” These words affirm that my life was willed by God from the very beginning. Even from the words of Jeremiah, before I knit you in your mother’s womb, I knew you. It’s just a powerful reminder that my existence is no accident and that I am here for a reason.
This understanding challenges me to live my life with purpose and to protect and honor the lives of others. Whether it’s standing up for the unborn, caring for the sick, or simply being kind to someone who is struggling, as a man, I must protect those who cannot protect themselves; I am called to be a voice for the sanctity of life in all its forms, from the fetus (which is Latin for “offspring” or “young child”) to the elderly at the point of natural death.
Discovering My Unique Vocation
One of the most exciting aspects of my faith journey has been discovering my vocation. According to Catholic teaching, vocation is more than just a career—it’s a calling from God that encompasses my whole life. Whether it’s marriage, priesthood, religious or consecrated life, or single life, my vocation is the path that God has laid out for me to grow in holiness and serve others.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” This verse from Ephesians 2:10 reminds me that God has designated a specific purpose for my life, one that He had foreseen and prepared before I was even born. My vocation is my unique way of living out that purpose.
Discerning my vocation hasn’t always been easy. It has required prayer, patience, and a willingness to listen to God’s voice, as well as the voice of a spiritual director if one is discerning the vocation of the priesthood, which I had considered once, or even the vocation of a religious life. But as I’ve embraced my calling in the vocation of married life, I’ve found a deeper sense of fulfillment and joy. It’s a journey that continues to unfold, and I’m excited to see where God leads my wife and me next.
Balancing Free Will and God’s Plan
Understanding the balance between free will and God’s plan has been a crucial part of my faith journey. While I believe that God has a plan for my life, I also know that He has given me the freedom to make choices. This gift of free will is part of what makes me human and allows me to grow in love and virtue.
Saint Augustine’s teachings on free will and divine providence have helped me grasp this complex relationship. He suggested that God, in His infinite wisdom, can bring good out of even our wrong choices. This gives me hope, knowing that my mistakes don’t define me and that God’s grace is always at work in my life.
I strive to make choices that align with God’s will, but I also trust that He is guiding me, even when I stumble. This dynamic relationship with God is what makes my faith so alive and personal. It’s a journey of trust, where I learn to surrender my plans to His and find peace in knowing that He is in control.
Finding Meaning in Suffering
I have found that suffering is a unique part of life that none of us can escape, but my Catholic faith has taught me to see suffering in a different light. Rather than viewing it as meaningless or a sign of abandonment, I am called to see it to participate in the redemptive suffering of Christ by adding my suffering onto His. As St. Paul said in Colossians 1:24, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “by his Passion and death on the cross, Christ has given a new meaning to suffering: it can henceforth configure us to him and unite us with his redemptive Passion” (CCC 1505). This verse and catechism teaching has been a source of strength for me during difficult times. It reminds me that my suffering is not in vain but can be a powerful way to grow closer to Christ and to participate in His work of redemption.
Also, by embracing my suffering and uniting them to Christ’s suffering on the cross, this suffering has merit, whereby my suffering here on Earth can be used to aid the suffering souls in Purgatory, by alleviating their pain and expediting their suffering. That’s what that phrase, “offer it up” means that so many cradle Catholics hate so much when they’re in pain.
The Communion of Saints: A Spiritual Family
One of the most comforting aspects of my Catholic faith is the belief in the communion of saints. This belief reminds me that I am not alone on my journey. I am part of a spiritual family that includes not only those who are alive today but also the saints who have gone before me.
The saints are powerful examples of how to live out God’s plan with faith and courage. Their lives, as varied and checkered as they were, whether marked by great deeds or simple acts of love, they all show me that every life has a purpose to serve God’s plan. They inspire me to live my own life with the same dedication to God and to trust that He is guiding me, just as He guided them.
I turn to the saints often in prayer, asking for their intercession. This practice deepens my connection to the broader Church Triumphant and reminds me that I am part of something much larger than myself. The communion of saints is a beautiful reminder that my life here in the Church Militant is intertwined with the lives of others, both here on earth and in heaven as well as the Church Suffering in Purgatory. Putting the tripartite Church together, We are the Church Christ has built; we are the Bride of Christ adorned in white awaiting the Bridegroom.
The Eucharist: My Source of Strength and Purpose
The Eucharist is the heart of my Catholic faith and the ultimate reason for my conversion. The Eucharist is a constant reminder that my life is not an accident. In the Eucharist, I encounter the real presence of Christ, fully present; body, blood, soul, and divinity, who offers Himself to me as spiritual nourishment. This sacrament is a profound affirmation of God’s love and His desire to be intimate with me.
Each time I receive the Eucharist on my tongue, I am reminded of my purpose and my final goal in my life. It’s a moment of profound communion with God and a source of strength for my faith journey.
The celebration of the Eucharist also connects me with the wider Catholic community, thereby fulfilling the second of the greatest commandment; Love your neighbor as yourself. It’s a shared experience that unites us in our faith and our mission to live out God’s love in the world. It’s a powerful reminder that I am part of a larger story, one that is guided by God’s hand and filled with His purpose.
Finally: Embracing My Life’s Purpose
As I reflect on my life, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude and purpose. My Catholic faith has taught me that my life is not an accident at all but a gift from God, filled with meaning and direction.
By embracing the truth that my life is not an accident, I am called to live with intention and trust. I am constantly out there seeking God’s will, and to walk in faith, knowing that He is with me every step of the way, even when it seems He is not there. My life has a purpose because it is part of God’s larger plan, and that is a truth that fills me with great hope. As I continue my journey, I hold onto the belief that God has a purpose for me, and that purpose is filled with love, trust, and promise. My life is not an accident—I am a beautiful, intentional part of God’s creation, and I am immensely honored to live it out each day.
