KNOW LOVE AND SERVE GOD - PART ONE

I was taking a few minutes to relax the other day. The trigger event for seeking to know God better is lost in that hazy stream of consciousness that flows swiftly through the mind like a single raindrop in a flood of water.

On its bubbling trip though, that thought dislodged a nugget of pure gold, from Baltimore Catechism days: "Our purpose is to know, love, and serve God."

This article, Part One, considers how to go about loving God. Sure,, we all know The Divine Mercy prayer that addresses God as the Holy, Mighty, Immortal One. And, too, God is the center of Theology, which is the study of God. 

and, if you are reading Catholic365 you may be a veteran prayer warrior who seeks God through every prayer.

Remember how we laid in the grass, maybe chewed on a blade; watched clouds form and reform; snowflakes make everything all white and pure looking; smelled the fresh air of a crisp fall day or the scent of a new spring flower.

Did you have a favorite pet growing up. Do you ever muse over the fact that this is all created by God. Yes, the same God who doesn't need a clock and was not born, but always exists. Our Creator who made us in his own image and likeness to be one with Him in heaven.

And do you hear the rain and know God? Do you feel the breeze and know God? Do feel glad for all these gifts and know God? I do.

Yet there is more to know about God. He changed forms with every passing human being. He changes his figure from plain to dazzling light, as He showed us on the mountain with His three apostles when He spoke with Elijah and Moses. And we know this through reading the Holy Word (the Bible), Mass and Holy Communion. We also know Him through our own observations and listenings to Him; and we know Him through our writings and readings. One of my favorite prayers is that of St. Richard of Chichester:

Prayer of St. Richard
The following prayer was made immensely popular by the play Godspell where it was put to music in the song entitled, "Day by Day."

Thanks be to thee, our Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits which thou hast given us,
for all the pains and insults which thou hast borne for us.
O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother,
may we know thee more clearly,
love thee more dearly,
and follow thee more nearly. Amen.

Next week, on Monday I hope, will produce Part II of KNOW LOVE AND SERVE GOD