God has created humans to constantly be the lookout for what is lasting and real. The search ultimately leads to God. Have your students read and study the following quotations. Then have them write brief and reflective responses to the questions that follow.
Quotations
As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God. My being thirsts for God, the living God. When can I go and see the face of God?
Psalm 42:1–3
The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for.
Catechism of the Catholic Church #27
If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing.
C. S. Lewis
For everything that is not God is unable to fulfill my desires. It is you alone I seek, that I may have you. O Lord, open my heart. Jesus Christ, my Savior, the express image and character of your essence is that image and likeness I desire.
Blaise Pascal
The simple desire for God is already the beginning of faith. All of us have doubts. They are nothing to worry about. Our deepest desire is to listen to Christ, who whispers in our hearts.
Brother Roger of Taizé
Questions
- Do any of your desires (e.g., relationships, reputation, security, comfort, material things, other) compete with your desire for God? Which ones?
- Have any of the desires you illustrated—or any others (e.g., sexual desire, selfishness, over-indulgence, status, money, etc.)—been overwhelming for you?
- What are you afraid of? What, if anything, does your fear tell you about your relationship with God?
- Right now—at this moment in your life—what is the state of your desire for God? Do you desire God? Do you desire to desire God?
