I. THE LIFE OF MAN - TO KNOW AND LOVE GOD - 1

From the Catechism:

I. THE LIFE OF MAN - TO KNOW AND LOVE GOD

1 God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Savior. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life.

God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself,

God is perfect and has no need of man or of any creature.

Exodus 15:11
Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life.

 Because God is so good, he created mankind to share in His love.

Mark 10:18
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man.

 We are not the ones who initiate our relationship with God.  Because of His great love, it is God who first calls us to Himself.

John 15:16
King James Version (KJV)
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength.

He gives us the unmerited grace to turn to Him and seek Him.

1 Timothy 2:3-5
King James Version (KJV)
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church.

God is not a "respecter" of persons.  He does not discriminate between people of different race or economic status.  He calls all of us to righteousness.  And those who turn to Him are added to His Church.

Acts 10:33-35
King James Version (KJV)
33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.  34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Savior.

God sent Jesus Christ to sacrifice Himself  and thus make atonement for our sins.

Romans 5:11
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life.

Those who turn to Christ are joined to His Body, the Church and we become the children of God.  Sons in the Son.

Romans 8:17
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.