The Desire to Know God

We Journey Toward God

Do You Believe in God?

• What percentage of the people in the United States believe in God?

92%

Sacred Mystery

Not a new concept!!!

Why do we long for God?

• It is an inner longing written on our hearts

• We are called to be in relationship with God

Desire: To long for what is absent or lost

Vocation: a call from God to a life of holiness

Holiness: To be in good relationship with God

Our “GPS” is set for Heaven!!!

Longing for God

God invites us into

relationship with Him

Knowledge: Knowing intimatelyCommunication: Prayer

Vocation:Calls all members of

the Church into holiness in whatever

lifestyle they are living

I want…

Immediate need

Longing

Knowing God

• When you are getting to know someone, what kinds of questions do you ask?

• What do you “wonder about them”?• What helps you to get to know that

person on a deeper level?• What is the difference between knowing

about someone and knowing someone?

God is….• Mystery: in referring to the religious, something that

cannot be fully explained using reason or science but that you believe is true.

• Love: (1 Corinthians 13)– The force behind the creation of the universe– The reason for God’s self-communication– The reason He became flesh and died for us– The act of giving ourselves to others

• Agape- unconditional concern for the wellbeing of another• Storge – affectionate love of family• Philia- love of friends• Eros- passionate or romantic love

Honoring the Body

• “Love is the fundamental and innate vocation of every person.”

• The body is– To be treated with integrity (the quality of being

honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.)

– Gift from God– Temple of the Holy Spirit

Talking & Listening to God

Prayer: Communication

with God through conversation

Framework for Happiness• The Commandments of Love (Great

Commandments)– Love God with your whole heart, whole body,

and whole soul– Love your neighbor as I have loved you

• The Beatitudes– Guideline given by Jesus to the disciples in

the sermon found in the Gospels