This far into January most folks are remembering to write “2014” when obliged to note the date on checks or forms. Those who made new year’s resolutions have already gotten used to practicing them—or perhaps rationalizing their way around them. Before you settle into a new segment of your time on this earth, though, it might be wise to ask a larger question: What am I doing? Not only with this year, but altogether and ultimately. Why am I here?

It can be a scary question, especially if you have no idea how to answer. If you’re coming to church on the weekends, however, you probably know the reason for your being isn’t “to make a killing” or even “to make a living.” The old catechisms offered that you’re here to know, love, and serve God and to be happy with God forever. That’s still a good answer, though there are lots of ways to express this “happiness”-objective. You’re here to fulfill the divine purposes, to honor God with your labor, your relationships, and your choices.

If Winston Churchill was right when he said, “To be fully stretched is a pleasure in itself,” if you inhabit your potential fully—to love, to be creative, to give your unique gifts to the world—then you’ll be among the happy ones in this life. The great scholar and physician Albert Schweitzer said: “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”

When you think of Saint John the Baptist, you picture a man who definitely knew what he was doing and why he was here. Was there ever a more focused vocation than his? Before John was born he seemed to have a sixth sense about his mission to prepare the way of the Lord. He leaped in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary entered the room. Sometime in his youth John retreated to the wilderness to clarify and sharpen his spirit. Then he emerged full-blown as an old-time Hebrew prophet-proto-evangelical-preacher and unique performer of a sacrament-in-waiting, baptism.

John was first to announce the coming of a new to kingdom and preach repentance for the forgiveness of sin; he was halfway to Christianity before it was properly invented. Yet even John admits that everything he said and did took its meaning in the hour he encountered Jesus as an adult. If you wonder why you’re here and what you're doing, you might come to Jesus for answers.

Related scripture links

Jesus on Moses and Abraham: John 5:45-47; 7:19-24; 8:31-59
Saint Paul’s complex identity: Acts 22:3-5; Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:13; 9:1-2, 19-23; 2 Cor. 11:22-23; Gal. 2:19-20; Eph. 4:1; Phil. 1:1; 3:5; Titus 1:1; Philem. 1
Jesus as lamb: Isa. 52:23-53:12; John 19:36; 1 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 9:11-28; Rev. 5:6-14; 14:1-5; 19:9; 21:22-22:5
Jesus and the Spirit in John: 3:5, 34; 7:38-39; 20:22

Catechism links

Lamb: CCC 407-409; 536; 608; 711-716; 1137; 1505
Messiah: CCC 436-440; 1286-1287
John the Baptist: CCC 523; 717-720