The purpose of life
Some people say that the material universe and human life have no purpose. .Dr. Julian Huxley, for instance, says this. What should a Catholic reply to this?
FIRST, a Catholic can point out
that, as one who believes in the Christian Revelation, he maintains that the purpose of human life has been made known to us through that Revelation. The fact of this Revelation is proved by the historical evidence of the resurrection of Christ from the dead—and numerous other ancillary proofs leading up to this great final proof; the evidence for which is incontestible on any reasonable grounds. Secondly, even without calling ill Divine Revelation, the fact of purpose is evident to philosophy—it can be kRown from man's reason. " Purpose" means having an end in view and taking steps to attaining the end.
This is what we, men and women, are constantly doing; and we know perfectly well that we
are doing it. Men have purpose —as an inevitable consequence of rationality. It could only have come from the maker or Creator of men and the universe.
Dr. Julian Huxley (and everyone else) knows that he constantly acts with a purpose. Supposing a small boy placed a drawing-pin on Dr. Julian's chair; and that the said small boy (upon being pursued and somewhat sharply corrected) protested: " Please, sir, I didn't put it there on purpose!"—Sir Julian would hardly be likely to accept this as a satisfactory excuse. And I am certain that the small boy would find small consolation from Sir Julian's remarking (while administering correction): "My boy, I'm not doing this on purpose!" No; we are all well aware of human purpose and our constant
use of it. The Christian (and a fortiori the Catholic) adds the further factor of the knowledge of the revealed purpose of life: namely to know, love and serve God Who made us; and Who became Incarnate and redeemed us; and Who will judge us after death.