A Journey Through the Catechism (Introduction, and The Final Aim and End of Humanity)
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the greatest “summary statement” of what we Catholics believe that has come about in the last half-century. It is the blessed fruit of the hard labors of Pope Saint John Paul the Great, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (future Pope Benedict XVI), and many other people besides who have toiled long to bring about a comprehensive application of the teachings of Vatican II (the Second Vatican Council). The Catholic Church understands her authority as rooted in Scripture and Tradition. If the Bible is the deposit of Scripture, then the Catechism well can be understood as the deposit of Tradition.
Prior to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the most prominent catechetical document used by the Church in the United States was the Baltimore Catechism. The content, of course, is the same; there is no outright change in what the Church believes and professes to be true regarding faith and morals. However, the presentation is different. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, many say, reads much like an encyclopedia. It is very handy to have around for quick reference, yet at the same time, it can be difficult to sit down and read. The Baltimore Catechism, however, is a series of questions and answers. This Q&A format, while not as robust or in-depth as the “encyclopedic” approach of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nonetheless offers a unique strength and quality in its own approach: the Q&A format allows for memorized, ready-made responses to frequently-asked questions of the Catholic religion.
Here begins a Pastor Column series that will take us on a journey through the Baltimore Catechism, and we start with the very first article: the final aim and end of the human project.
Q: Who made the world?
A: God made the world.
Q: Who is God?
A: God is the Creator of Heaven and Earth and of all things.
Q: What is the human being?
A: The human is a creature composed of body and soul, make in the image and likeness of God.
Q: Why did the Lord make you?
A: The Lord made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in Heaven.
Q: To get to Heaven, what must we do to save our souls?
A: To save our souls, we must worship the Lord by faith, hope, and charity; that is, we must believe in Him, hope in Him, and love Him with all our heart.
Q: How shall we know the things that we are to believe?
A: We shall know these things from the Catholic Church, through which God speaks to us.
Q: Where shall we find the chief truths that the Church teaches?
A; In the Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived of Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary.
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.On the third day, He rose again.
He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived of Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary.
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.On the third day, He rose again.
He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
~ Fr. Lewis