This document outlines the key points of a discussion on discovering one's purpose and meaning in life. It notes that the RCIA journey is a lifelong process of growth and transformation aimed at answering life's biggest questions. It teaches that humans are created in God's image to know, love and serve God, and that God himself provides the complete answer to our search for meaning and purpose, which is to share in his eternal life.

1. SFX RCIA 2017 / 2018
In search of the meaning of
life…

2. A reminder… some things you
heard last week…
 “Why are you here?”
 A journey, a process, not a programme
 Distinct stages
 It engages both your head and your heart
 Change – growth – transformation - conversion
 “Inquirers”
 It’s OK to change your mind at any point before
baptism. It’s OK to drop out.

3.  FIRST
 IT IS A JOURNEY
 SECOND
 YOU HAVE
EMBARKED ON THE
JOURNEY
 THIRD
 IT IS A LIFELONG
JOURNEY

7.  Take a blank page in your journal
 Halfway down the page draw a horizontal
line.
 Above the line write down all the things
that are good about your life right now,
things that are going well, things that
make you happy to be alive.
 Below the line write down all the things
that are not so good in your life right
now, things you wish could be better,
things you’re anxious about, that worry or
trouble you.

8. Who Am I?

9. I am a human being…

10. I am a human being
 A curiousity
 I live in two worlds
 Spirit and matter
 Created in the image of God I have a
spiritual soul, intellect and free will.
 In me alone are spirit and matter united:
by my soul I am spirit, by my body I am
part of the material universe.

14. Homo sapiens = Homo religiousus
By nature and by calling, we are
religious beings.
We come from God and return to God.
Everyone is created to live in union
with God.
Our hearts are restless until they rest in
him says St. Augustine.

15. So, who am I to God? How does
God see me?
 Child
 Beloved
 Destined to share God’s divine life for all
eternity
 St. Iraneus (2nd Century)
“The glory of God is man fully alive.”

16. Thus to Christians, the most
important discovery of our
lives is not finding out who
we are but rather whose we
are.

17. How do we know?
It was revealed to us by the One
who made us – God.

18. Sharing
Those who have made this journey
ahead of you (the Catholics at your
table) are going to share how their
lives were changed, how they
themselves were changed when they
opened the door to God.
Don’t be worried about asking
questions.
They are sharing with open hearts and
we thank them for their generosity of
spirit.

21. What is the meaning of life?
What is the purpose of life?

23. What is the purpose of life?
To know God, love God, serve God and
to love one another.
This life is a preparation for eternity.
We were not made to last forever and
God wants us to be with Him and
share His eternal life.
Therefore,
God himself is the complete response to
all our questions about the meaning
and purpose of life.

24. How do we know?
It was revealed to us by the One
who made us – God.

25.  We were made by God and for God
and until you figure that out, life isn’t
going to make much sense.
 God didn’t put me on earth just to
fulfill a to-do list. He’s more interested
in what I am than what I do.
 That’s why we are called human
beings not human doings.

26. SUMMARY…
 Where did I come from?
God
 Who defines me?
God
 What is my destiny?
God
 Why am I here?
God
 What is the meaning of life?
God
 What is the purpose of life?
God

27. Let us pray…
I am seeking, I am hesitant and uncertain,
but will you, O God, watch over every step
of mine and guide me on Your way.
Amen.
(St. Augustine)