What is the meaning of life? This is not only a question for Catholics, the religious-minded or of someone with a strictly philosophical outlook. This question is embedded deeply within the heart of human beings. Our search for an answer is responsible for many of mankind’s greatest cultural accomplishments.

Yet when this question goes unanswered, or is ignored entirely, people often turn to things unworthy of their dignity. Catholics, through no merit of their own, are blessed to have answers to these big questions.

There is a place of truth.

To know the meaning of life, we must go directly to our designer. Go to an art museum and you’ll find biographical information about the artist who designed, painted or sculpted each piece.

But you say: “I don’t believe in God.” This may be true, but it doesn’t excuse one from looking at the mystery of their own life and the world around them. There’s too much we don’t know about ourselves to dismiss the reality of a creator.

Science, reason and logic have not explained who created the universe or even why; and they have yet to discover what happens to us when we die.

34 “The world, and man, attest that they contain within themselves neither their first principle nor their final end, but rather that they participate in Being itself, which alone is without origin or end. Thus, in different ways, man can come to know that there exists a reality which is the first cause and final end of all things, a reality “that everyone calls God”.

The above quote is from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and it tells us that even unaided by religion, we can know there is a God.  You might find this reasonable, but you’re still not ready to start going to church. That’s fine – we’re simply looking at the question: what is the meaning of life?

The truth, though mind-blowing and worthy of a million lifetimes of contemplation, is really quite simple: the meaning of life is to love God. Why? Because he made us from nothing – not because He needed us – but because he knew we’d like it, and that in worshiping him we’d always be happy.

27 “The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for:

The above is also from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Catholics are blessed to have answers to the questions that have puzzled mankind throughout the ages. All men of good will owe it to themselves to look at what the Catholic Church teaches about God, life, death and beyond.

The dignity of man rests above all on the fact that he is called to communion with God. This invitation to converse with God is addressed to man as soon as he comes into being. For if man exists it is because God has created him through love, and through love continues to hold him in existence. He cannot live fully according to truth unless he freely acknowledges that love and entrusts himself to his creator.”