The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Catechism - a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers, used for the instruction of Christians.

For many years I have had a beautiful hard bound copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church sitting on my bookshelf, waiting for me. Intuitively I knew this was a really important book, but, similar to being introduced to the holy bible, I didn’t know where to start reading. I dipped into this book a few times during bible studies, which made me think of the book as a sort of Catholic encyclopedia or dictionary.
The other day I decided to just start from page one and see how it goes. To date I have read only 10 pages because the reading is so amazing, very similar to the bible of course, because it’s all about God and us. I reread the sections over and over to try to fully digest what I am reading. It is not that the language of the text is so advanced, but the meaning of the words is so profound in comparison to anything else one reads in their daily life.

What I am finding in this catechism is the fundamental teachings of the holy trinity, explained and illustrated in plain English. These teachings are cited with passages from the bible and church scholars (Vatican Councils, saints, doctors of the church, Popes, Apostolic letters etc.)

The Catechism begins with such a basic and beautiful truth about humanity.

27 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: (pg. 14)

…. But this search for God demands of man every effort of intellect, a sound will, "an upright heart", as well as the witness of others who teach him to seek God. (pg.15)

These truths about God point us in the direction of understanding that we are one with God, through this “God DNA” that we are brought into existence with and if we don’t acknowledge that truth and live that truth in our daily lives, we won’t find God and we won’t find our true selves.

36 "Our holy mother, the Church, holds and teaches that God, the first principle and last end of all things, can be known with certainty from the created world by the natural light of human reason."11 Without this capacity, man would not be able to welcome God's revelation. Man has this capacity because he is created "in the image of God". 12

Never forget that you were created in the image of God and you have the capacity, through human reason and divine revelation to welcome and receive God in your life. Open your heart and open your mind to the truth and don’t be distracted by the world which is full of lies about the one true God.

P.S. The Knights of Columbus have the full text of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on a website with a search option: http://www.kofc.org/en/catechism/index.html

God Bless

Paula

Pentecost

Feast of the Holy Spirit

“On this feast of Pentecost, we celebrate the fact that this breath, this wind, this hurricane of mercy has been loosed upon the world.”
 Fr. Robert Baron

The Holy Spirit has been a mystery to me as the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is in a general sense, a difficult concept to wrap your head around. The bible includes the three persons in one God, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit throughout the bible, yet the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit have their specific entry points, Jesus in the New Testament and the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. But… all three have been present eternally. I think it is easier to understand God the father (paternal relationship), and Jesus, our brother and king, vs. The Holy Spirit, which is often symbolized as a dove.

Obviously, I am no bible scholar, just a child of God wanting a relationship with the holy trinity/triune god.

The Grace to You webpage says, “Yet, though the fullness of the Trinity is far beyond human comprehension, it is unquestionably how God has revealed Himself in Scripture—as one God, eternally existing in three Persons.” This website has a nice graphic representing the triune God

Once again, I need to trust in God and have faith about the things I don’t understand. What I do understand is the wonderful gifts the Holy Spirit has for us that will bring us closer to God.

My favorite prayer for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, is from the “St. Faustina Prayer Book for the Conversion of Sinners”, by Susan Tassone.

Come, Holy Spirit, grant me the gift of wisdom and acceptance so that I may always remember that God’s thoughts and God’s ways are not often my own.

Come Holy Spirit, grant me the gift of an understanding heart and mind so that I may always grasp the Infinite Love of God which surpasses everyone and everything.

Come, Holy Spirit, grant me the gift of counsel and courage so that I may always take up my cross, and say “Yes” to Jesus in whatever he asks of me.

Come Holy Spirit, grant me the fortitude and faith so that I may always take courage in Jesus’ power and his presence and never be afraid.

Come Holy Spirit, grant me the gift of knowledge so that I may always know the Truth who is Jesus and his Church’s teachings which have set me free.

Come Holy Spirit, grant me the gift of fear of disappointing the Lord so that I may always honor God in whom I live, and move, and have my being. Amen

Pope Francis says, "The Spirit is given to us by the Father and leads us back to the Father."

Magnificat, June 2017

God Bless,

Paula