By KAITLIN KLEIN
WONDERFUL ADVENTURE
The Catechism of the Catholic Church begins powerfully with this beautiful entry:
“God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin into the unity of his family, the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Savior. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life” (CCC 1).
This is the foundation we can come back to. Sometimes I am confronted with many challenges, complexities, busyness and pressures; even good things, like advanced theology or great writings of the saints, can draw my attention away from the basics. (Those amazing gifts of our faith are true treasures and wonderful resources; I am only noting that they should be built upon the foundations of our faith.) This entry helps keep me grounded and focused in God’s plan for me, in the simple, magnificent truths that guide my very being, and in my first identity as a child of God.
This passage can be a reference point and reminder, and even a guide for deep prayer and reflection, for devout Catholics. I believe it can be a heartwarming, friendly way to further engage the lukewarm. I would even venture to say that the “Nones” may find their hearts stirred at these words. Whomever the audience, I think it would at the very least spark a thought.
God uses our desires, thoughts, other people, and events to speak to us and ultimately draw us to himself. “…at every time and in every place, God draws close to man” (emphasis added). Wait—in the abortion clinics? What about the war bunker? The politician’s office? The person bedridden? The one who spends all day playing video games? The gambler? The adulterer? The ones just getting by? Evil is present, but that doesn’t stop God from loving his creation and drawing as close as He can. His gift of our free will “…invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life.” He does not force, for that is not love, but he invites.
Many thoughts were inspired during my prayer with this passage, and I hope the same for all who meditate on these words. The Lord's love consumes us and gives us confidence to live these truths in our lives and in our families and to share these truths with others.
We are called; let us respond.