What’s the point of it all?
It’s a question many of us ponder throughout our lives. What’s the end goal? What is it that we desire and how do we rightly order those desires?
The truth is that throughout our entire lives we yearn and ache to be reunited with our Creator, God the Father. Whether we believe it or not is irrelevant, but each of us is a beloved daughter or son of God. Our identity belongs to the Lord, and this identity sends us on the mission of living in this world. And the final goal of that mission? You guessed it—To go back to the Father, the One our hearts yearn for!
Yet if it’s so simple, why do I struggle to pray sometimes, or forget the point of my life and mission here?
WHY AM I DOING THIS?
I recently graduated from University of Florida where I basically lived in the Catholic Student Center on campus. My entire college life revolved around prayer, bible studies, retreats, and running with others towards sainthood. (To clarify again: we want to be saints because we desire to be united to the Father in heaven, and as Catholics, we believe the saints are fully alive in heaven with Him.)
Ironically, once I graduated and left campus, I quickly forgot the natural order of my life. I was still going to daily Mass and receiving the sacraments often, but one day while in prayer, I got real honest with the Lord.
“What is the point Lord?” I thought. “I’m making money now, budgeting to pay off my student loans, and seeking you in prayer, is this really all there is to life?”
“No” He said. “Look at the cross.”
Boom. Mic drop.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE REUNION
I began pondering the life of Jesus, why He came, and why He died. Every year, Good Friday is the hardest day for me because it feels like my best friend dies. Every year. I know what’s going to happen, yet it still hits me just as hard.
It may seem obvious, but it finally clicked with me: the reason Jesus died was to unite himself back to the Father. Jesus tore the veil so we may also be reunited with the Father. As Christians, we are called to imitate this because we inherently desire that same unity. Jesus shows us our mission, and why we do what we do: It’s all about the reunion with the Father, which can ultimately only be completely fulfilled in heaven.
But how do we live like Jesus now, in this day and age?
LIVING LIKE JESUS IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Jesus lived a radical life. He was born, educated in craftsmanship, baptized, and then became a profound witness of God’s love for His people. Jesus walked the walk before people could record his healings for the ‘gram. His witness is evidence for how we, as Catholic Christians, are called to discipleship. Jesus shows us this through two primary ways:
- LIVE RADICALLY.
As Christians, we’re called to live radically for the sake of the gospel—not for the sake of the fans and followers. In contrast, many of the things we see on social media are all the same. When was the last time you saw a post that was so different you had to stop in your tracks and ponder it? Everyone uses the same filter, the same backdrops, the same drinks, and the same photos of the same boats in the one ocean. So you’d think it should be easy to be different, right?!?!
Friends, we are called to live radically. Live radically in what you read and post. Fill the world with beauty, not negativity and doubt. Lift one another higher, and bring beauty and education to our platforms—whether in real life or on social media. I could only imagine Jesus doing something similar when He taught in the synagogues. So embrace the mission and “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 19).
2. EMBRACE THE CROSS
Second, how did Jesus return to the Father? Could he just have assumed into heaven before dying on the cross? Yes he could’ve, but he didn’t. He showed us a better way—an even greater way. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:3).”
If there was an easier way I believe Jesus would have showed us. Jesus had to die on the cross to restore our relationship with God. He suffered so we may have a chance to be united with Our Creator. Every hardship we have, every struggle, is an opportunity to imitate Christ in His suffering. It’s an opportunity to lean in, not shy away. The loving embrace of God is awaiting your return, like the Father in the prodigal son story. It’s a chance to know God in a deeper way—so let Him love you.
So let me ask again: What’s the point of it all? To be united with the Father.
What can we do in this world to be reunited with the Father? Live radically, embrace the cross, and be sent out to share goodness and beauty—because that’s what Jesus did.
Listen carefully so that when He calls, you can answer and say, “Here I am, Lord, send me.”
ABOUT NATALIA
A graduate of the University of Florida, Natalia’s deepest desire is to live an ordinary life with extraordinary grace. She has an unwavering devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes, and even got engaged on her feast day! Phone calls and Marco Polos are her primary love language, and she has the uncanny ability of being able to eat Mexican food everyday if necessary.
Natalia, thank you for sharing your beautiful soul with us!!
