Diving Deep
A Beginner's Guide to the Catechism
by Pat Gohn
in Faith
on Thursday, July 09, 2009 6:00 AM
(This is the first in a series of bi-weekly articles where catechist Pat Gohn will walk beginners through a study of the Catechism.)
Growing up on Long Island’s beaches, I trained to be a lifeguard. Years of swimming lessons built muscles and stamina to pass the tests. Mastering those skills brought me years of joy and adventure swimming, snorkeling, and sailing in deep water. But I didn’t start out that way. Ocean swimmers learn in steps: wade in, learn the currents, and adjust your stroke to the wave intensity.
Diving Into The Catechism
That’s a good way to enter Catechism of the Catholic Church
… often called the CCC. No need to dive deep all at once — yet the desire to do so may be there! That same kind of desire made me a good swimmer. Staying in the shallows satisfied for just so long; the beauty and power of the ocean lured me deeper. Wading in by the edge no longer sufficed. I needed a stronger stroke.
Similarly, growing in my Catholic faith adds joy and adventure to my relationship with Christ, the Church, and the world. The Catechism fills my knowledge gaps. It explains what God reveals about Himself and his plan of salvation. It details what the Catholic Church professes, celebrates, lives, and prays.
Seeking Truth
John Paul II introduced the Church’s updated Catechism in 1992 as being “…offered to all the faithful who wish to deepen their knowledge of the unfathomable riches of salvation. (Cf. Eph. 3:8).” [Apostolic Constitution Fidei Depositum.]
The Catechism of the Catholic Church delivers rich meaning to my life by clarifying Truth from my opinions about God and Church teaching. It compels me to mull things over and pray, integrating faith and life. I believe it to be one of the most powerful gifts the Church offers to Catholics in this new millennium.
The Catechism is an approachable reference work. Yet, its oceanic size (900 pages) intimidates some from putting a toe in the water. If reading the Catechism seems daunting, consider I hope you’ll consider my articles a personal floatation device—an aid to get you started. We’ll surf one wave—one concept—at time, slowly seeking deeper water and the treasures within.
Beyond Your Comfort Zone
Jesus challenges any reluctance to move beyond “my comfort zone.” Once, as he preached at a waterfront, Jesus stood in a fishing boat belonging to Simon, who was busy washing his nets during the sermon. Afterwards, Jesus addressed Simon: “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken… And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. (See Luke 5: 1-11.)
Not only was the catch beyond expectations, it was life changing—the fishermen followed Jesus. These were ordinary folks finding something extraordinary.
Reading the Catechism is like that … If you’ve never considered reading it, start by wading in. Then work on a stronger stroke.
Want to dive in, but stay close to shore? Start by carefully reading and meditating on just one paragraph: CCC 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: The dignity of man rests above all on the fact that he is called to communion with God. This invitation to converse with God is addressed to man as soon as he comes into being. For if man exists it is because God has created him through love, and through love continues to hold him in existence. He cannot live fully according to truth unless he freely acknowledges that love and entrusts himself to his creator.
—Pat Gohn is a wife & mother celebrating 27 years of Catholic family life. Her Catholic writing, podcasting, and ministry life are found at PatGohn.com.
[Note: Catholic documents typically number paragraphs. In the CCC, look for the bold paragraph numbers along the left side of the page.]
Resources:
Free on-line versions of the Catechism:
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