What makes life meaningful for you?

I recently read Arthur Brooks’ book, The Meaning of Your Life. Pick up this book! It is a great read. In its initial pages, he defines meaning. Meaning has three elements: Coherence, Purpose, and Significance.

Coherence is about how the events of my life fit together and the idea that things happen for a reason. It does not mean we can dissect why everything happens when it happens, but we have faith that, somehow, all the events of life come together as we reflect on them.

Purpose is the idea that we have goals and direction in life. We all need to make a life map that shows the direction our lives are headed, with all their detours, sideroads, and turns. We need a life map to help us make progress, knowing we are headed toward our goals.

Finally, significance is about the inherent value of your life to yourself and to others. Brooks makes the point that a significant life is not about a well-written obituary in the New York Times or having a street named after you. Significance is about a loved one feeling that the world is worse without you in it.

Is your life meaningful? The lens I have used to view a meaningful life is a life lived in Christ. How is that so?

I hear the call for a meaningful life in Pope Francis’ words, “Todos! Todos! Todos!”  

This was a common expression of Pope Francis: “Everyone!” This is a quote that highlights his vision of an inclusive Church, urging that everyone is welcome without exception. For me, this is the image of a mother Church opening her arms to feed all who are hungry.  

Rachel Held Evans describes this idea of Francis when she wrote, “This is what God’s kingdom is like: a bunch of outcasts and oddballs gathered at a table, not because they are rich or worthy or good, but because they are hungry, because they said yes. And there’s always room for more.”

God calls us to be a Church where there is room for all who fail, make mistakes, or struggle. An example of this call to serve the marginalized is found in the First Reading. Acts 6 introduces us to the Hellenists, who were Greek-speaking Jewish converts to Christianity who had returned to Judea from foreign lands. They were Jews by heritage but were raised outside Palestine, adopting the Greek language and culture. They complained that their widows were being neglected in the daily food distribution. Therefore, seven deacons were appointed to serve them, Stephen notably chosen among them. Deacons are the bridge builders and the signposts that remind us of the call to open the doors of our hearts, so that the widows may be served.

The Second Reading reminds us that we are these living stones who make up God’s Kingdom. We are called to extend such a kingdom to include all those who struggle, who long to find a place, who respond to the call to walk with Jesus. The Church is living; it is not a stagnant historical building. We are the Church because we are the Body of Christ, exhorted by the Word, grounded in the Eucharist and sacramental life, not so that we may be holy but that we may serve others and, in doing so, are made holy.

In the remaining weeks of Easter, the Gospel of John is prolonged in our hearing as we hear this discourse throughout the weekdays and Sundays leading to the Pentecost event. Jesus reminds us that he and the Father are one; we must abide in him, and he calls us friends. All these themes begin this Sunday, seeing Christ as the way, the truth, and the life.

I think everyone searches for meaning. Everyone searches for coherence, purpose, and significance. Being Christian calls us to be there for others, to welcome many, and to accompany all without always having answers. For life to be meaningful, it must be rooted in Christ, life itself.

Pope Francis said,

The Gospel offers us the chance to live life on a higher plane, but with no less intensity … When the Church summons Christians to take up the task of evangelization, she is simply pointing to the source of authentic personal fulfilment. Evangelii Gaudium 10

Life in Christ is the only life.