Ever read the full Catechism?

[RileyG]

I have a book based on the Catechism that I am somewhat avoiding.

What are your thoughts?

I know it's not systematic theology.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I have a book based on the Catechism that I am somewhat avoiding.

What are your thoughts?

I know it's not systematic theology.

I read it when it was just released. I have advocated that everybody get one and read it too.

A book based on the Catechism is probably just fine but the CCC itself is readable for most people. Don't be too afraid of that. It is not systematic theology in terms of proofs and such dry stuff. It is an ordered presentation of the faith though. I find it has been a good companion to the Scriptures, more clear but derived from Scriptures and Tradition. So do read it, read your Bible too, and stay part of the parish and diocesan communities. Consider the 'Bible in a Year' and the 'Catechism in a Year' by Fr. Mike Schmitz. There is even a 'Catechism of the Council of Trent in Less Than a Year' that is good but I am kind of stalled on.

 

[fide]

I have a book based on the Catechism that I am somewhat avoiding.

What are your thoughts?

I know it's not systematic theology.

I would not recommend a book based on the Catechism, nor a book based on the Bible, nor a book based on papal documents, but rather go to the sources themselves. Otherwise you will (almost) always get something solid watered down with some other person's ideas and interpretations and opinions, which is very rarely an improvement over the original source. I find the Catechism, with a few exceptions, an excellent resource as is - but must be read carefully. I find the Catechism similar to Scripture in that same category of eternal importance: they must be read slowly and with great attentiveness. We owe that carefulness to Truth, and Truth deserves it. And we are rewarded by such due care, with deepening understanding of what is of infinite importance: Truth.

I would not recommend any program that would put a time limit on such a journey: Truth cannot be scheduled like that. We will never be "finished" with Scripture or the Teachings of His Church, both of which are unfoldings of divine mystery..

 

[chevyontheriver]

I would not recommend any program that would put a time limit on such a journey: Truth cannot be scheduled like that. We will never be "finished" with Scripture or the Teachings of His Church, both of which are unfoldings of divine mystery..

Such things are merely introductions to such journeys.

What does a person do? Finish 'The Bible in a Year' and then mark that off the checklist? "Yup, Bible completed, all done"?

Most likely they go back to the Bible, as they are no longer alien to it, and read it in greater depth and purpose. Same with the Catechism. They are solid introductions to truth. Far better those than a person remaining intimidated all their lives by how inaccessible they think the Bible and the Catechism may be.

 

[fide]

Such things are merely introductions to such journeys.

What does a person do? Finish 'The Bible in a Year' and then mark that off the checklist? "Yup, Bible completed, all done"?

Most likely they go back to the Bible, as they are no longer alien to it, and read it in greater depth and purpose. Same with the Catechism. They are solid introductions to truth. Far better those than a person remaining intimidated all their lives by how inaccessible they think the Bible and the Catechism may be.

I would say that people in general do not know, have never been taught, how to read spiritually substantive and/or divinely inspired writings (such as Holy Scripture and the Catechism and other writings of saints). So many of us (myself included) first "learned to read" in the "study for the test that the teacher is likely to give," school of thought. If their first exposures to spiritual treasures are quickie short-cuts (since, after all, we are so busy about so many things....), then we the teachers/catechists are reinforcing poor formation while postponing if not ignoring what is actually needed.

We need to learn how to learn rightly - how to be a disciple of holy truth. And that means, especially with Holy Scripture and also with books like the Catechism, s...l...o...w.......d...o...w...n..... and listen, carefully, prayerfully, with both attention and devotion to what is being said, to who (or Who) is saying it, and to whom it is being said (that is, always in the 'room of self-knowledge, self-awareness of our biases and blindspots'). In Holy Scripture, and through the Church in her Sacred Tradition, God is speaking Truth to me. That fact alone ought to slow me down. And we need to slow down and listen.

Speeding up and condensing is counter-productive. Rushing wastes time.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Speeding up and condensing is counter-productive. Rushing wastes time.

The ‘Bible in a Year’ is not condensed. Every single verse is read and meditated on. Nor is it rushed. For good reason it is not the ‘Bible in a Month’ like some old book of the month. I get it the ‘Bible in a Year’ will never be your cup of tea, but frankly it is an excellent introduction to the Bible and as a year long thing it sets up long term habits of Bible reading among many who persist for a year.

 

[tampasteve]

To the OP, yes, I have.

But the below post sums up my feelings better than I could have written.

I read it when it was just released. I have advocated that everybody get one and read it too.

A book based on the Catechism is probably just fine but the CCC itself is readable for most people. Don't be too afraid of that. It is not systematic theology in terms of proofs and such dry stuff. It is an ordered presentation of the faith though. I find it has been a good companion to the Scriptures, more clear but derived from Scriptures and Tradition. So do read it, read your Bible too, and stay part of the parish and diocesan communities. Consider the 'Bible in a Year' and the 'Catechism in a Year' by Fr. Mike Schmitz. There is even a 'Catechism of the Council of Trent in Less Than a Year' that is good but I am kind of stalled on.

 

[Gnarwhal]

I think the closest I ever came was in RCIA, and I wouldn't say I was actually close. I really should though, maybe I'll do Fr. Schmitz's podcast like @chevyontheriver mentioned. That "Catechism of the Council of Trent in Less Than a Year" sounds more my speed.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I think the closest I ever came was in RCIA, and I wouldn't say I was actually close. I really should though, maybe I'll do Fr. Schmitz's podcast like @chevyontheriver mentioned. That "Catechism of the Council of Trent in Less Than a Year" sounds more my speed.

Every Catholic household should have a catechism. And also a copy of the Catechism of the Council of Trent. Or maybe the Baltimore Catechism in its place. They actually go well together. And of course, of course, a Bible.

 

[Gnarwhal]

Every Catholic household should have a catechism. And also a copy of the Catechism of the Council of Trent. Or maybe the Baltimore Catechism in its place. They actually go well together. And of course, of course, a Bible.

Luckily I do have them, I just haven't taken the time to go through them with any measure of depth. If there's a program that guided me through the Roman Catechism I'd love to check it out. I've gone through the Baltimore Catechism a bit more because it's part of the curriculum for Seton Home Study so my step kids were using it, I really appreciate it's format and it's orthodoxy.

 

[fide]

The ‘Bible in a Year’ is not condensed. Every single verse is read and meditated on. Nor is it rushed. For good reason it is not the ‘Bible in a Month’ like some old book of the month. I get it the ‘Bible in a Year’ will never be your cup of tea, but frankly it is an excellent introduction to the Bible and as a year long thing it sets up long term habits of Bible reading among many who persist for a year.

I'm sure it is good - even best, subjectively speaking - for some people. It is certainly better than nothing, and next-to-nothing is all many, many Catholics have, concerning time with the Bible. Very very few in the Bible Study sessions I have ever offered in my life, are able to immediately or quickly find almost any book of the Bible without some help or hints to find it. Including, "Is there a Table of Contents in your Bible?" "Oh - yes - sure enough.... here it is, page __!" It is heart-breaking, the level of Biblical illiteracy among Catholics.

I was very greatly blessed to find (or to be found by) a truly great (in the authentic and spiritual sense of the word) teacher in, as he called it, "praying Scripture". He I think learned it while with some monks in Belgium, who possessed some early copies of some writings of St. Augustine, for a study project he was assigned to. He learned something about heart-deep faith, among them, and it changed his life. And he changed mine, patiently teaching me how to listen to words written of things some men had seen and heard, which I had not. And I learned something of listening to God, listening for God, and for things only God could say. That gift, that treasure, that doorway, I want to pass on to others as well. It is no secret! It is very simple: listen to Him! But I am not hearing it anywhere, from anyone else, in the Church today.

 

[joymercy]

I'm sure it is good - even best, subjectively speaking - for some people. It is certainly better than nothing, and next-to-nothing is all many, many Catholics have, concerning time with the Bible. Very very few in the Bible Study sessions I have ever offered in my life, are able to immediately or quickly find almost any book of the Bible without some help or hints to find it. Including, "Is there a Table of Contents in your Bible?" "Oh - yes - sure enough.... here it is, page __!" It is heart-breaking, the level of Biblical illiteracy among Catholics.

I was very greatly blessed to find (or to be found by) a truly great (in the authentic and spiritual sense of the word) teacher in, as he called it, "praying Scripture". He I think learned it while with some monks in Belgium, who possessed some early copies of some writings of St. Augustine, for a study project he was assigned to. He learned something about heart-deep faith, among them, and it changed his life. And he changed mine, patiently teaching me how to listen to words written of things some men had seen and heard, which I had not. And I learned something of listening to God, listening for God, and for things only God could say. That gift, that treasure, that doorway, I want to pass on to others as well. It is no secret! It is very simple: listen to Him! But I am not hearing it anywhere, from anyone else, in the Church today.

I listen for His voice in the daily gospel reading, focusing on which words jump out at me, mediating on their meaning, being still and listening for His voice in my meditation, then responding in my heart, to God. Are you speaking of this? Lectio Divina?

 

[fide]

I listen for His voice in the daily gospel reading, focusing on which words jump out at me, mediating on their meaning, being still and listening for His voice in my meditation, then responding in my heart, to God. Are you speaking of this? Lectio Divina?

Well, Lectio Divina has many interpretations these days (what doesn't?!). And Lectio Divina itself is open to modification as the soul progresses. The oldest and best understanding of the process I have found is the letter, "The Ladder of Four Rungs" by the monk Guigo II. I find this ancient process to be excellent when followed as taught as described therein and not as many modern interpreters have done. The most important step, I believe, is the first: lectio - reading the sacred text itself as it stands itself, and listening to its own testimony. I do not want to hear ME. I want to hear God. After that, the other steps, "rungs," of the Ladder, have substance for fruitfulness in Him.

In response to your post, of words that jump out at you - that can be meant and heard in different ways, as words can be meaningful for different reasons. We can want to be affirmed by God, in His Word. We can be seeking answers to specific questions, or problems, or crises, in His words. We can also too-quickly pass over things of importance that we do not want to hear! Yet maybe God wants us specifically to hear. We need to be open to Him, not wanting to be affirmed where we are, but to be moved and led to where He wants us to be. And that can be very uncomfortable. It is true that we can never hear all that He says in even the most simple statements! Yet His words are seeds, whether understood in their maturity or not. We must allow them to be planted in us nevertheless, and pray as Mother Mary affirmed, "Let it be to me according to your word."

 

[joymercy]

Well, Lectio Divina has many interpretations these days (what doesn't?!). And Lectio Divina itself is open to modification as the soul progresses. The oldest and best understanding of the process I have found is the letter, "The Ladder of Four Rungs" by the monk Guigo II. I find this ancient process to be excellent when followed as taught as described therein and not as many modern interpreters have done. The most important step, I believe, is the first: lectio - reading the sacred text itself as it stands itself, and listening to its own testimony. I do not want to hear ME. I want to hear God. After that, the other steps, "rungs," of the Ladder, have substance for fruitfulness in Him.

In response to your post, of words that jump out at you - that can be meant and heard in different ways, as words can be meaningful for different reasons. We can want to be affirmed by God, in His Word. We can be seeking answers to specific questions, or problems, or crises, in His words. We can also too-quickly pass over things of importance that we do not want to hear! Yet maybe God wants us specifically to hear. We need to be open to Him, not wanting to be affirmed where we are, but to be moved and led to where He wants us to be. And that can be very uncomfortable. It is true that we can never hear all that He says in even the most simple statements! Yet His words are seeds, whether understood in their maturity or not. We must allow them to be planted in us nevertheless, and pray as Mother Mary affirmed, "Let it be to me according to your wor

"Let it be to me according to your word"--thanks so much!

 

[fide]

"Let it be to me according to your word"--thanks so much!

Thanks be to our Mother Mary! This profession of her faith, "Let it be to me according to your word," in the fullness of the grace given her, shows us the beauty of the fruit of the obedience of the faith. What is that Fruit? "Blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus"! We too, Beloved Disciples of Jesus given to her from the Cross, are her sons and daughters in Him. And in our fullness of faith, we too can in our ways bring forth in this world, the Life of the Living Jesus.