I propose three ways in which we can grow in the knowledge of God. We can be led in our journey to know him, as Catholic Christians, through the revelations of faith and Christ’s earthly ministry. Sacred Scripture and Tradition are anchors of truth that act as guideposts to the Omniscient One. Dedicating time to reading Scripture, committing the catechism to our hearts and kneeling in his presence in adoration allows us to grow at the source of all understanding, the Living Word.

Another path to knowledge of God is using reason. We observe the beauty of the patterns of nature, the laws that govern it and the tranquility of the created world. Then we catch a glimpse of the one who established the foundations of this tangible reality. St. Augustine said, “God does not expect us to submit our faith to him without reason, but the very limits of our reason make faith a necessity.”

Third, and directly, we can come to know God through the exercise of daily prayer. We engage in the eternal relationship that the Lord has with each one of us when we pray. He reveals himself and his will for our lives in the stillness and silence of our hearts. We need a relationship of communication with our maker to recognize his divine will. As is written in Psalms, “With all my heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commandments. In my heart I treasure your promise, that I may not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes” (119:10-12).

I encourage you to foster the spark of knowledge inherent in each of us so that we might set alight the darkness of a fallen world and our minds. Shed the light of Christ to everyone you encounter and bear witness to his perfection so that others might come to understand the true meaning of life: unity with God. Seek him, as flame seeks the sky.

“The beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Pr 9:10).

In Christ’s love,

Most Rev. Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS

Bishop of Charleston