Chase Hawkins
To begin, we should define a term that is used often in philosophy and theology. And that is teleology – the definition and identification of things by the ends or purposes they are designed to serve. Seems complex. Let’s start with basics: the ultimate teleology of a chair is sitting. And although it can be used for other things, the most fitting and the most appropriate use of a chair is for sitting. Likewise, a basketball is used for the game of basketball and while it would be feasible to use a basketball for soccer, it would be most fitting and appropriate to use a basketball to play basketball. Make sense? I hope so. So this can lead us to the original question: what is the purpose of a human being. This is a much more complex and difficult question than the purpose of a chair or a basketball. So let’s analyze this complex and difficult question in a threefold manner: Human Design, Following Our Model, and Application.
Part I: Human Design
But if God is so hard to understand, how can we become more like Him?
Part II: Following Our Model
Jesus’ full divinity reveals God’s nature (agape) and Jesus’ full humanity reveals the fullness of the human person. The nature of Jesus shows both what it means to be human and what it means to become more like God. These things lead to the same conclusion which is this agape, this self-gift. Doesn’t this make sense if we think of Jesus, though? Jesus gave of Himself fully in the crucifixion. Doesn’t Jesus say as His commandment (John 15:13): “There is no greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”? If we can glean one thing from the life, teachings, and death of Jesus it is this: the greatest thing we can do is give of ourselves fully.
Part III: Application
“God, Who has fatherly concern for everyone, has willed that all men should constitute one family and treat one another in a spirit of brotherhood. For having been created in the image of God, Who "from one man has created the whole human race and made them live all over the face of the earth" (Acts 17:26), all men are called to one and the same goal, namely God Himself…man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself” (Gaudium et Spes 24).
How can we actually give of ourselves to others? There are so many ways (large-scale and small-scale) in which we can give of ourselves. This could include service trips and volunteering locally and regularly. But it could also include small things such as setting the dinner table for your family, making your brother or sister a sandwich, offering a Mass or Holy Hour for a person, staying up late to console a friend, all sorts of small sacrifices in which you can give of yourself to others.
Now that we know what the purpose of humanity in life is, I challenge myself and you all to live out this agape, this self-giving love. By doing so, we truly partake in Jesus’ humanity and divinity and can grow closer to our God who has called us to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Be present among your friends, family, classmates, teammates, and strangers and strive to reflect the total, self-giving love that God has called us to and shown us through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Dominus vobiscum!
St. Francis of Assisi, ora pro nobis!
St. Margaret Clitherow, ora pro nobis!
Chawkins.
"Good, Good Father" by Housefires
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djrY_eFDOwE