Why? Where? When? Who? How? These five words summarize what is called a “Philosophy of Life”. Every person in this world 
embraces a philosophy of life, whether explicitly or implicitly.
Why? You were created out of the pure love of God.
Where? Our destiny is heaven.
Who? To be with God for all eternity.
When? Start right now because Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is within us.
How? Follow this brief catechetical explanation of the authentic philosophy of life.
The adage, “You are what you eat,” rings at least partially true. Our exterior actions reflect the interior decisions in our hearts witch begin with thoughts in our minds.However, you are what you think, resonates even more fully as the truth. A parallel to this maxim is, “The thought is the father of the deed.” Often what we think terminates in an idea that culminates in an action.
Augustine urges us to choose carefully our philosophy of life, with these words worthy of deep meditation: “We must all love, but must choose wisely the object of our heart and then to love with all of our heart.”
CATECHETICAL PRINCIPLE AND FOUNDATION FOR ALL…
How can we grow into living out our Christian philosophy of life? Four quick suggestions to start the ascent of the mountain that leads to eternal happiness!
First, KNOW GOD! It is impossible to love somebody that you do not know or only know in a vague and partial manner. Form the transforming habit of meditating prayerfully on some passage of the Gospel. An easy way is to take the Gospel that the Liturgical Year offers daily. If you like use the Magnificat that gives the daily reading. Before reading ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you to encounter the Person, the feelings and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Second, LOVE GOD! The greatest of all commandments can be summed up in one word, which is love. Seeking the greatest of all commandments the Scribe spelled it out clearly: “To love God with all one’s heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself.”(Lk. 10:27) Jesus approved this insight as His answer.
A practical suggestion to attain to the love of Christ is the most Holy Eucharist. After receiving this great Sacrament into your heart, tell the Lord that you love Him and that you want to love Him more and more each day and to die loving Him as did the Blessed Virgin Mary!
Third, SERVE GOD! Love, in order to be authentic, must translate into concrete actions. Why not read Mt. 25:31-46 which is the Parable of the Last Judgment? Here we have a Program of Life that if lived out will lead us to eternal salvation. Outlined with utter clarity, Jesus gives us the Corporal Works of Mercy: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, and to visit both the sick and the imprisoned. However, the key to the proper interpretation of this passage is that when we help out any of these people we are indeed helping out Jesus. In the words of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta: “We must recognize Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poor.”
Fourth, ATTAIN HAPPINESS IN HEAVEN. As a motivational dynamo, the frequent thought of heaven can help and encourage us to grow in the knowledge, love, and service of God. Every day we should ponder and reflect at least briefly on the reality of Heaven. Saint Paul reminds us with these encouraging words: “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the mind of man the wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love Him.” Enduring the many trials, crosses and tribulations of even a long life is really nothing in comparison with the immense joy, peace, happiness, and love that we will experience in Heaven. Furthermore, Heaven is forever and ever and ever. May Our Lady, gate of Heaven, attain for us an ardent and constant yearning for heaven our true destiny and permanent resting place!
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