We are all philosophers searching for life's meaning.

Jesus in the Temple by Heinrich Hofmann

Watching an episode of the Papal Posse the other day, I listened to Fr. Gerald Murray discuss the reason so many young people are coming to the Church. He described the four fundamental questions that encourage a serious examination of life. These questions often lead people, especially the young and idealistic, to make life-transforming decisions. 

Some people try to drown out the voices of philosophy. They try to ignore these important questions by filling their lives with pleasure and entertainment. St. Augustine certainly did that for a time. But ultimately, most of us are faced with them because we search for meaning. It's only meaning that gives us the will to live when we experience devastating times as Victor Frankl described in his book, Man's Search for Meaning.  

How would you answer the four questions?

• Where did I come from? This questions closely ties into the question, Who made me? For those of us raised on the Baltimore Catechism the answer is easy. God made me? Everything we see was created by God. Some people choose another God. They call him Evolution or Chance or Money or Sex, or Self, but everyone serves a master. Whoever or whatever that is becomes his god.

• Why am I here? Again easy for Catholics reared on the catechism and who pray the creed every Sunday. God made me to know Him, love Him, serve Him and to be happy with Him in heaven. Are we on the narrow road to heaven or traipsing along the primrose path of dalliance that leads to perdition?

• What am I supposed to do? God's will of course! This is where things get more challenging. How do I know what God's will is for me? Some things are obvious. I'm expected to obey the Ten Commandments and all other laws of God. Just like the secular world has laws and lawbooks, judges and teachers who explain the law; God gave us laws and law books, judges and teachers of His law. God doesn't try to hide His will from us, but He is a Gentleman Who will never force us. He gave us free will so we could freely choose to love and obey Him. He doesn't want little programmed robots. Do we love Him? Not always, which is why He gave us the sacraments as sources of grace to help us make good decisions. We need to examine ourselves every day and repent. "You're right, God; I was wrong." Love is always having to say, "I'm sorry." The closer we draw to God, the more likely we will make good decisions that lead us to Him. And that determines the answer to the next question.

• What will happen when I die? If I live according to God's law and strive to serve Him faithfully, I will be welcomed on the day of judgment to enter into Heaven or its anteroom, Purgatory. If, on the other hand, I live a life rejecting God and choosing some idol I've created in my life, I will likely reject God at death and be condemned to hell. Keep in mind that hell is the choice of those who go there. There are no rebels in heaven. There are no servants of God in hell. The choice is ours. If I choose to follow the leader toward hell, why would I be surprised when that's where I ended up?

I recently heard about a priest whose bishop received dozens of complaint letters because he preached on the four last things: death, judgment, heaven or hell. Obviously those Catholics wanted nothing but ear-tickling from the pulpit. How did the bishop react? I didn't get that part of the story. But the priest was doing no more than his duty. I'm okay; you're okay is not a philosophy that leads to salvation.

St. Robert Bellarmine, Doctor of the Church was named a bishop in the early 17th century. He instructed his priests to preach on the four last things once a month. What a blessing to be warned about dangers that can kill your soul! Wouldn't you want a doctor to diagnose a serious illness so it could be treated? That's what priests are supposed to do to save us from our sins. Consider the criticism the Texas weather service received recently over the delay in warning about the rising Guadalupe River that swept so many people to their death.  Should we not be disturbed by priests who treat God like the Pillsbury Doughboy who will serve pastries to everyone on Judgment Day? Is that why Christ died on the cross? 

Icon of The Last Judgment by Fr. Luke Dingman

We all need to get real. Sin offends God. Sin OFFENDS God. Think of the way some people act who are offended by family or friends. Often their anger knows no bounds even to the point of going on a shooting spree. But they think nothing of offending the God of the universe, the God of love Who stretched out His hands on the cross to win our salvation.

How many dismiss all their sins and faults with the cavalier statement that God will understand. He's a nice guy who would never treat me the way I treat others. They are like the unjust steward who received such mercy from his master and then went off and throttled his neighbor. How did that work for him? [Luke 16:1-13]

If we pray the Our Father and simultaneously embrace vengeance, hold grudges, refuse forgiveness....we judge ourselves and shut ourselves off from God's mercy. "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." 

Got hate? Got a grudge? Pray the Our Father? Don't be surprised if God answers your prayer.