“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”
This quote from St. Catherine of Siena is one of my favorites and it prompts the question: How do we know who God intended us to be?
I believe it’s through seeking Truth!
We often create New Year’s resolutions, but I've found that as a life and leadership coach, creating goals for the new year is more effective and attainable than resolving to do something.
So, I thought about seeking Truth as a goal for 2024.
Especially as we continue to witness so much chaos and confusion in the world, I'm resolving to seek Truth as a goal in 2024. Seeking Christian truth involves a journey of faith, study, and personal reflection.
If you're like me, I want to share 10 tips to help you in your quest:
1. Prayer
Begin your journey with prayer. Seek guidance, understanding and a sincere desire to know God's truth. Prayer is a way to connect with God and invite His presence into your search for truth. My husband Ron and I pray every morning together with different tools including the Hallow App, and Catechism of the Catholic Church, and, of course, with Scripture.
Each day we also focus on something specific. On Mondays, we pray for holy souls in purgatory. On Tuesdays, we seek intercessory prayers from the angels. On Wednesdays, we pray the litany of St. Joseph. On Thursdays, we focus on the Eucharist. On Friday we include a prayer about the Lord’s Passion. On Saturdays, we focus on Our Lady and pray the rosary, and on Sundays, our prayer focus is on Jesus’ resurrection.
You can also end your day with an examination of conscience.
2. Study the Bible
The Bible is central to Christian belief. Read it regularly and study its passages to gain a deeper understanding of God's teachings. If you read the B.I.B.L.E. as an acronym, it means Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. Consider using study guides and commentaries to help interpret and apply the Scriptures.
3. Attend Mass
Regular attendance at a local church can provide valuable insights and a sense of community. Engage in discussions with fellow parishioners, participate in Bible studies, and listen to homilies to deepen your understanding of Christian teachings. Add a daily Mass to your Mass attendance in 2024.
4. Seek knowledgeable guidance
Consult with pastors, theologians or mentors who have a strong understanding of Christian doctrine. They can provide guidance, answer questions, and offer insights into the nuances of Christian theology. Seek out a spiritual advisor and take classes at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. They offer many classes for non-degree students.
5. Read Christian literature
Explore books written by reputable Christian/Catholic authors who address topics related to faith, theology and Christian living. This can complement your Bible study and provide additional perspectives on Christian truth. Both the Ave Maria Radio Book Store and EWTN’s Religious Catalogue share a list of books.
6. Reflect on personal experience
Take time for personal reflection and introspection. Consider how your experiences align with Christian teachings and whether you can discern the presence of God in your life. Sit in adoration with your Bible and your journal and seek the Lord to shine Truth on you where you might experience a true epiphany.
7. Engage in worship
Participate in praise and worship with music and meditation. Worship is a powerful way to connect with God, expressing gratitude, humility, and a desire to draw closer to Him.
8. Practice Christian virtues
Live out the teachings of Jesus by practicing virtues such as love, forgiveness, compassion and humility. As you embody these values, you may find a deeper connection to the Christian truth. Pope Gregory I rewrote the list of sins, changing them to lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, envy, wrath and pride; the revised virtues became chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience and humility. These virtues are said to point a Christian toward God and away from a disposition to sin.
9. Join a Christian community
Connect with other Christians who share your journey. Joining a small group, fellowship or online community can provide support, encouragement and opportunities for mutual growth in faith such as a Bible study, men’s ministry, a mom’s group, or parenting group. Think how you can connect, communicate and collaborate with the Catholic community.
10. Be open-minded and patient
Seeking Christian truth is a lifelong journey. Be open-minded, patient and willing to grapple with complex theological concepts. Allow your understanding of God's truth to evolve over time as you grow in faith and wisdom.
Remember that everyone's journey is different, and we try to meet others where they are on their own faith journey. Finding Truth in Christ is a personal and ongoing process. Stay committed to seeking God's guidance, and trust that He will reveal His truth to you as you earnestly seek Him. Seek out those epiphany moments in 2024 by making seeking Truth a goal of the new year.
Vanessa Denha Garmo is the host of Epiphany on Ave Maria Radio. She is a life and leadership coach, communications strategist and founder of Epiphany Communications: Coaching & Consulting. You can follow her on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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