Memory Work

It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged. 
It’s been awhile since I’ve done Scripture memory.
New Year’s Resolution? 
Maybe. 
Blog a bit some days and memorize verses?

I found an app that has commentary from the Church Fathers and St. Thomas Aquinas - all the old, dead white guys that I love. So, Thomas’ comments will influence what I say, probably. Don’t blame Thomas for anything, either.

I don’t blame any of them for what I might say. I don’t blame the Holy Spirit. 

Hopefully anyone reading this will be inspired to dig deep into Scripture. Surely you can do much better than what I write. 

Organize thoughts - as best I can by grace. 
Think about what words mean - as best I can by grace.

Grace perfects nature. 
- St. Thomas Aquinas

Start what what I have. See what God does with it. 

You can do better. I can do better. 

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.  

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

1. Open my eyes, that I may see

1. Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;

1. Place in my hands the wonderful key

1. That shall unclasp and set me free.

• Refrain 1:

• Silently now I wait for Thee,

• Ready my God, Thy will to see,

• Open my eyes, illumine me,

• Spirit divine!

1. Open my ears, that I may hear

1. Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;

1. And while the wave notes fall on my ear,

1. Everything false will disappear.

• Refrain 2:

• Silently now I wait for Thee,

• Ready my God, Thy will to see,

• Open my ears, illumine me,

• Spirit divine!

1. Open my mind, that I may read

1. More of Thy love in word and deed;

1. What shall I fear while yet Thou dost lead?

1. Only for light from Thee I plead.

• Refrain 3:

• Silently now I wait for Thee,

• Ready my God, Thy will to see,

• Open my mind, illumine me,

• Spirit divine!

1. Open my mouth, and let me bear,

1. Gladly the warm truth everywhere;

1. Open my heart and let me prepare

1. Love with Thy children thus to share.

• Refrain 4:

• Silently now I wait for Thee,

• Ready my God, Thy will to see,

• Open my heart, illumine me,

• Spirit divine!

Romans 1
1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, 

Who was Paul? Slave. Called. Apostle. 

Who did he serve? Christ Jesus. In his other writings we see that he served God’s people as well. Vertical. Horizontal relationships. His attitude was that of a servant, not a ruler even though he was an apostle with the highest level of authority in the Church besides Jesus, our Head. Peter was the leader in this highest level. 

Our egalitarian society doesn’t like talk of hierarchy. Yet there it is in the Bible. We have to deal with it if we are part of the Church. It’s for our good. 

Yet spiritually, someone at the bottom of the organizational pyramid might be far above even the Pope. The great in God’s Kingdom are those who serve. God’s ways aren’t the same as mankind's. 

Matthew 23:11The greatest among you shall be your servant.

Word association.:  Serve. Listen. Go. Preach. Share. Live. Named. Savior. Samuel (see his call in 1 Samuel 3) 

A. Paul also went by the name “Saul”. There are a number of possible reasons for this. 

It may have been his given Roman name, while Saul was his Jewish name. 
It may have been a name he took for himself after the conversion of Sergius Paulus in the book of Acts. 
Since Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles - the nations - he may have wanted to use his Roman name to better connect with his audience. It would show that the Gospel is for all, not just for Jews. It would serve as a kind of bridge between the two cultures - Roman and Jewish. 

B. He considered himself to be a slave. Jesus said His disciples were His friends, so why did Paul call himself a slave?

I’ll put on my housewife, mother, & now Grandma super heroine cape to answer. I serve all of them, but I don’t have to. I want to. 

Well, sometimes I tell them to do it themselves, but that may be serving them as well. If I do everything for them, how will they learn to serve others? 

We serve our loved ones. All of us serve one another in a family - or we should. 

It is our duty motivated by love. The family of God is no different.

Galatians 5:13
New Living Translation
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

We use our freedom to serve one another. Sounds like one of those Biblical paradoxes that so many in our crazy world find so hard to understand. 

One is either free or a slave. It can’t be both. Yet it is. Look to Jesus for more instruction. 

C. Called

What is your vocation - your calling?  Hmmm. Paul’s was to be an apostle. An apostle is one sent on a special mission - a missionary. 

Our main purpose here on this earth is to glorify God and help others come to now Him. We are sent into the world as Christians - little Christs. That’s pretty scary when you think about it. 

The goal of our life - the telos - is to know God.


Here’s how the Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it. 

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, [a] and to enjoy him for ever. [b][a]. Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:21; Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 6:20; 10:31; Rev.4:11[b]. Ps. 16:5-11; 144:15; Isa. 12:2; Luke 2:10; Phil. 4:4; Rev.21:3-4

What area are you supposed to live this mission out? We are all called to be servants and even sent ones, but not all have the same job. See the Body of Christ teaching in Romans 8 and 1 Corinthians 12, etc. 

In our world, bearing and raising children is supposed to be a secondary vocation. In God’s economy, there is nothing more blessed and important. See the Blessed Virgin as an example of this, as well as St. Joseph. The Holy Family is the prototype. 

That is revolutionary thinking in our day, and it was back in the 1st Century. 

Then we all have other jobs we do. 

How do you put it altogether? 

Paul’s first priority was to serve God. The rest flows from that, I guess. 

Then the idea of God’s calling leads to a lot of deep thinking! I’ll leave it there for now. 

D. The Gospel of God

Good News
From God
About God

Summary of the Gospel - Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, appearance to His followers

Chapter 15[a]The Gospel Teaching.[b] 1 Now I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. 2 Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 [c]For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; 4 that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; 5 that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. 9 For I am the least[d] of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God [that is] with me. 11 Therefore, whether it be I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Christ didn’t just die for our sins. He rose again from the dead. He didn’t just rise from the dead. He spent time with His followers after He rose. 

Certitude. 

Well, so much more can be said, and has been said. 

Now to memorize it...and keep thinking about it...

Virtue

3 Theological Virtues

4 Cardinal Virtues

I. Theological virtues.

A. Basic Definition 

theological virtues - from the Free Dictionary
pl n(Theology) (esp among the scholastics) those virtues that are infused into man by a special grace of God, specifically faith, hope, and charity. Compare natural virtues

B. Scripture

1 Corinthians 13:13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Gifts of the Holy Ghost

1. Wisdom
2. Understanding
3. Counsel
4. Fortitude
5. Knowledge
6. Piety
7. Fear of the Lord

I’ll add more later. ...

Good Will

He who has a will is said be good, so far as he has a good will; because it is by our will that we employ whatever powers we may have. Hence a man is said to be good, not by his good understanding; but by his good will. Now the will relates to the end as to its proper object. Thus the saying, "we exist because God is good" has reference to the final cause.

Aquinas, Thomas. Summa Theologica

Any goodness in us is because of God who created us in His image. What does God look for in a person? Good will. That is a sign of His presence.

Many have an understanding of God that is flawed. Maybe all of us do to one degree or another. Yes, as I think about it, all of us have an inadequate view of God and His goodness.

Sometimes people think - and I include myself in this - that God is so good He will just overlook any fault and sin in their lives. No. His good will does not include condoning the things that will kill our souls.

Sometimes people think - and, again, I include myself - that God basically hates people for being such rotten sinners. Therefore He rains down judgment on us in the form of bad government, hurricanes, earthquakes, war, pestilence, and so forth. After all, we do not deserve His good will.

Yes, in a way that is true. We do not deserve nor can we earn God's good will for us. However, grace, mercy, and love are all motivating factors in God's good will towards us flawed and often sinful human beings.

Good will. Mercy. Love. Grace. That is what God moves us towards. Those are the goals and God graciously moves us towards those ends.

Think about God's extraordinary act of good will in sending His Son into the world. Remember the words of the angel.

There is some debate among Bible translators about how Luke 2:14 is to be rendered. Either way shows God's goodness as shown in the Incarnation.  Remember. St. Thomas Aquinas said that the two fundamental truths are the Incarnation and the Divinity of the Trinity. All truth flows from those two sources.

Here is how the NABRE translates Luke 2:14 - with footnote.

Luke 2:14 New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)14 [a]“Glory to God in the highest    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”Footnotes:

1. 2:14 On earth peace to those on whom his favor rests: the peace that results from the Christ event is for those whom God has favored with his grace. This reading is found in the oldest representatives of the Western and Alexandrian text traditions and is the preferred one; the Byzantine text tradition, on the other hand, reads: “on earth peace, good will toward men.” The peace of which Luke’s gospel speaks (Lk 2:14; 7:50; 8:48; 10:5–6; 19:38, 42; 24:36) is more than the absence of war of the pax Augusta; it also includes the security and well-being characteristic of peace in the Old Testament.

New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Here is the DRA's version, which is like the KJV´s. 

Luke 2:14 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)14 Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.

How can a person be of good will? It all has to do with God's favor, which is another way of saying His grace. God's Spirit works in our spirits, giving us life, moving us towards what we were meant to be in the first place - people of good will as God is good. He moves us towards that goal, that end, that telos. It is all to His glory. 

Promises, Promises

It's that time of year - political add season. There is one that especially annoys me because it promises one thing, but actually is set up to deliver another. It is a new tax that is supposed to lead to clean air and water. All it actually does is set up a committee to study the issue. In other words, it is just another way that corrupt politicians can legally give money to special interest groups.

Politicians are famous - or infamous - for breaking promises.

Today's reading is from Luke 11:29-32. In this passage, Jesus gives those who were questioning Him a sign. Some were demanding that He prove His claims.

What sign did He offer them? The sign of Jonah. Here is what Bishop Barron says about that sign.

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus tells the crowd that they will receive no sign except the sign of Jonah, which was a prophetic code for his Death and Resurrection.

Jesus made a promise. He would die, and rise again from the dead. Jonah from the Old Testament was a type of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

The crowd was antagonistic. Jesus was serious. In spite of their bad attitude, Jesus offered them this great evidence of who He is - Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior of the world.

What proof, what sign would He offer?

He would accomplish this through His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection victory.

God hates sin, and Jesus came to destroy His enemies and ours - sin, death, and the devil.

Promise made. Promise kept.

Jesus is famous for keeping His promises, unlike human leaders.

He is the only One that a person can trust fully and completely.

He does not lie.

He does not promise things He cannot deliver.

Political campaign season is a good time to be reminded of this fact.

Sure. Some politicians do a better job than others. Some really do mean to keep their promises. Some - maybe many - try to deal honestly. We live in a fallen world where even the best plans and programs tend to not work like they are meant to.

God's plans are not like that. God sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. His death, burial, and resurrection are evidence that all of His promises will be kept as well.

Here is one of my favorite promises that Jesus made and continues to make to all of us. See the love here? Human leaders often rule on the basis of threats - obey me, or else! Jesus offers this easy yoke and light burden to anyone who comes to Him, - even to the rebellious and antagonistic, which we all tend to be.

He is not alone, either. He is the Head of His Church. That's another subject, but Jesus is not a disembodied Head and His Church is not dismembered.

Matthew 1128 [o]“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,[p] and I will give you rest. 29 [q]Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Parable of the Sower

Here is an excerpt from Bishop Robert Barron's reflection on today's Gospel passage. All of his reflections can be found at the website FREE Daily Gospel Reflections from Bishop Robert Barron.    Many Protestants read Bishop Barron. He is one of the best apologists for Christianity in our day. He's not just for Catholics. He is appreciated by all kinds of Christians, yet he is definitely Catholic. Give him a hearing. See what you think. Friends, today’s Gospel gives us the parable of the sower...  A recent poll concerning religious attitudes in America shows that most Americans favor a radical tolerance in regard to religious beliefs. It also shows a shocking ignorance in regard to belief systems, dogmas, and the history of one’s own religion.  There’s nothing in the world wrong with tolerance, but it can sometimes be a cover for indifference.  Bishop Barron is mostly addressing the Catholic Church's failure to properly teach her people. Therefore many just go along with the cultural norm of radical tolerance as if their own faith doesn't matter much at all.  Protestants make this mistake as well.  I like the point he makes about radical tolerance sometimes being a cover for indifference. Yes, all Christians need to learn to get along with those who are of different faiths. However, all Christians should know and be able to explain the basics of why they believe in Christ.  Besides, there are some practices that should not be tolerated by anyone. I remember reading about how the Protestant missionary, William Carey and a renowned Hindu teacher joined together to outlaw the practice of widow burning in India. Carey argued from a Biblical standpoint. The Hindu philosopher from his own faith. The practice went against both and was a custom that needed to be abolished. The Little Woman, Gladys Aylward used her friendship with the local Mandarin to get the custom of foot-binding outlawed in China. St. Teresa of Calcutta's work is well-known. St. Damian of Molokai is famous for his work in a leper colony in Hawaii. Wilberforce's work to end the trans-Atlantic slave trade is well-known as well, along with the efforts of many other Christian abolitionists. I could give many more examples of how Christians should not practice a lazy, indifferent form of radical tolerance. Also, since Christ died to save people from their sins, shouldn't Christians be happy to share that Good News in the most loving way possible? If Christians are indifferent to what their faith is, then how will people know that Christ died to save sinners?

Matthew 9:9-13 - The Primacy of Grace

Today is the Feast of St. Matthew. Here are a few comments Bishop Barron made about today's Gospel passage, Matthew 9:9-13.

 If there is one theme clearly stated in the New Testament it is that of the primacy of grace. 

We just know that we will not lift ourselves to spiritual wholeness. A gaze has to come upon us from the outside. Not so much finding God as allowing ourselves to be found. 

To come to Christ is to come to a higher, richer, broader form of life. Now life is not simply the pleasures and goods of the body; now life is lived in and through God.

Matthew 9:9-13 New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. 

10 While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. 

11 The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 

12 He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.

13 Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

The Calling of St Matthew (Caravaggio)

Mark 6:7-13 - Our Mission

Mark 6:7-13 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

7 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 

8 He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 

9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 

10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 

11 If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 

12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 

13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

This is today's Gospel - Thursday, February 1, 2018 - 4th Week of Ordinary Time

Fr. Roger Lopez, OFM gave today's reflection. I loved his analogy. He compared the sending out of the 12 to the old Pony Express mail service. 

I grew up loving everything Old West. This was perfect for me. 

Here's the idea. All Christians are involved in this "Pony Express", the mission to pass the message of Christ along to others. We are also involved in helping to bring healing to those who are suffering. The mission did not end with the 12. The Gospel has been passed on through the centuries to us, to each one of us, and beyond. 

Here is the short video. 

Astoria, Oregon Safeway

Yesterday was a long day for us. My husband and I spent the morning packing & tying up loose ends before our trip down the Oregon coast. Every summer we go to a Christian conference near Lincoln City.

By about 2:30, we left town, on our way to Oregon. It was a beautiful day as we drove through areas that can have some really nasty, rainy weather even in the summer. Not yesterday, though, as it was sunshine all the way except for a bit of fog near the mouth of the Columbia River & a bit along the coast.

We stopped at Dismal Niche, where the Lewis and Clark expedition spent some time near the end of their journey. It is now part of the Lewis & Clark National Park. The rest area is very nice, with beautiful views of the bridge over the Columbia, the river, & Astoria on the Oregon side of the bridge.

My husband had a  couple of things he wanted to check out in town, so we looked around for awhile. It was dinner time by then, but neither of us was hungry. We decided instead to stop at the Safeway to get some things for the next day.

I took a look at the deli area, hunting for a sandwich. There was a lot of variety & some very nice-looking options, but I wasn't in the mood. Something did catch my eye, though.

At the end of the sandwich cooler, near the exit door stood a young man. Well, he was having some trouble standing. I wasn't sure if he was handicapped or not. So I went over to him and asked if he wanted a sandwich.

When I got close to him, I could tell why he was having trouble. The smell of alcohol on his breath was really strong. He picked out a sandwich and I told him to wait there while I bought it and brought it back to him.

He was still waiting when I got back, so I gave him the sandwich and walked him to the door. "You better take it outside so no one thinks you stole it," I said. He was pretty out of it, so I didn't think it would do much good to try to talk to him much. I did ask him where he lived, and he said he was homeless. I think I smiled and said goodbye - at least I hope I did. He pointed upwards and said, "Do you hear the music?"  Yes, there was music playing over the loudspeakers. Nice.

There was a young lady, employee of Safeway, who had come over to deal with the young man. She told me what I did was really a nice thing. I said some lame stuff about making wrong choices & how sad the young man's life was.

THEN, I started to think. Until then I was just reacting to the situation, but not in such a thoughtful way. Just doing my duty, I guess.

I did a good work, but how good?  What grade would I give myself?  I don't know. Do I grade myself on the curve, or compared to some absolute standard of righteousness & goodness?

I don't mean that there was no good at all in what I did. I mean it wasn't fully good. It was a little bit good.  Why do I say that?

Well, it dawned on me that the food we were buying will go on an expense account, not out of our own pocket. It is a work-related conference. So, it really cost me nothing financially to purchase the sandwich. It just went on the bill that we will turn in for reimbursement.

What did it cost me? A few steps to the cashier's and back to the sandwich cooler. A few words with a homeless young man. It didn't cost me much at all either financially or in sweat equity. We were in a beautiful, modern supermarket in a prosperous small town in one of the most beautiful settings in the world. I didn't even have to go outside my comfort zone.

So, on a scale of 1-10, how good was my good work? At least a 1, maybe, but it was a very incomplete work. Maybe just a 1, if that is how good works are judged - on a scale of 1-10.

It was a better work than most people, who would have ignored him altogether, but still. Is that how good works are judged?  If I compare myself with others, I am foolish. Good works probably are not judged on the curve.

Well, at least something is better than nothing. That is true. Something is better than nothing. A minuscule good work is better than no good work at all. How much better? A little higher up on the curve than the vast majority of people, whom I imagine would have done nothing?

Remember, though, the sandwich was not paid for out of my own pocket. Then, by assuming that I am in some special category of people who would do something as opposed to the vast majority who would have done nothing - but do I know that? No, I don't know that. So, my self-graded  "1" on the "good work-o-meter" may not even reach that standard. Maybe a .1?

Then other scenarios play in my head. How could I have scored better? How could I have reached a bit higher on the curve?

Instead of being a  afraid of the young man, I could have hugged him and told him how much Jesus loves him. I could have prayed a prayer of thanksgiving over the sandwich and asked God to bless this unfortunate human being.

Heck!  I could have bought him a soda and chips, maybe even a candy bar or a whole bag of food. That would have been a much better good work. If only I had thought of all that sooner! That would have put me much closer to St. Teresa of Calcutta range.

If I had thought to pray the O, my Jesus prayer with him, imagine how delighted the angels would have been!

So, how good, then, was my good work? It seemed that the Holy Spirit wanted me to do at least that much. It was prompted by grace, then.

I know it wasn't very good. It fell very far short of perfection. I could have done more. However, if I say that it was no good at all, then maybe I am offending the Holy Spirit who seems to have prompted me to do at least that much. I can't deny that grace was operating in me. There was a little bit of love involved, & that love from God who is love.

That brings me to today's Mass reading. It was on Jesus' analogies of the Kingdom of God to a treasure hidden in a field, a pearl of great price, & a catch of fish. (Matthew 13:44-52).

The video from the USCCB for today reminded me of a lesson I thought I had learned awhile ago. Good works are generally not perfect works. There generally is an element of selfishness, wrong motives, or cowardice mixed in. Those in today's reading were no exception.

Jesus' works are the only ones that are fully perfected, with no hint of selfishness or sin of any kind. Pure good works. Pure love. Oh, and because of a peculiar, special work of grace, the Blessed Virgin Mary was also preserved without sin from the time of her Conception.

What is my conclusion?

Well, the young man may have been an angel, sent to test me. When we left the Safeway just a couple of minutes later, the kid was nowhere to be found. How could he have gotten out of sight so fast?  Where did he go? Yes, my imagination is pretty active sometimes.

It's more likely he was just a lost boy making horrible choices in his life. I like the angel scenario, though. He did point up towards heaven and asked if I could hear the music, after all.

He was a messenger in a way. The meeting was providential, I believe.


How does a young man with such beautiful blue eyes end up on the streets?  Does he have a mother who prays for him or a father who looks for his return until his eyes become weary? Probably not. Maybe he does. Maybe my presence was an answer to his mom's or grandmother's prayers - or even his own. Why do I assume grace is not operative in his heart when the Holy Spirit is at work everywhere all the time?

My score is slipping!

Most street kids come from broken homes or single mothers. His parents are likely just as lost as he is. Yet there is hope. I call him a street kid because he was probably about 19 or 20 years old. Just a kid.

See my assumptions?

I can't not see those blue eyes...  or stop praying O, my Jesus...

Still, it is better to do even a small good work than none at all.  It increases happiness all around. It brings glory to God somehow. It is right and just to do good. They are a sign of God's grace at work in this dark, sinful world.

No, they do not buy God's grace, God's favor. A person cannot put a good work coin or point into the grace machine and expect God to do us a favor. He's not like that. You can't buy what has been freely given already.

It's complicated...

Catechisms

I’ve been reading Catholic Catechisms lately.

1. One was a fun Catholic Catechism from France. It was written in the early 1900s for older children, and is illustrated with lovely paintings. When we were in Dubai a couple of years ago, I bought it at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. 

I like the way the author, through a kind translator, said the following about grace.:

Grace is a supernatural gift freely bestowed upon us by God through the merits of Jesus Christ for our salvation.
We speak of it as a free gift, because God bestows it purely and freely out of His own goodness, not being in any way obliged to do so. We call it supernatural because it transcends our own powers and cannot be acquired by our own unaided effort. We say that we obtain it through the merits of Jesus Christ, because He won it for us by dying on the cross for our sakes. And, lastly, we say that it is given to us for our salvation, because God grants it to us, not for our earthly happiness, but to enable us to merit the bliss of heaven.  (p. 20)

The book - unlike Gaul - is divided into IV sections.

I.   The Apostle’s Creed - with 13 articles
II.  The Sacraments - with 8 articles, including grace plus the 7 Sacraments
III. The 10 Commandments
IV. Prayer - The Last Things - Sin - Virtues - Works of Mercy (corporal and spiritual)

The Catechism in Pictures, translated from the French Un Catéchisme en Images
First printed by R.P. Baily, founder of the Maison de la Bonne Presse, France

1909

68 pp. with corresponding paintings to illustrate the teachings

2. For two years I followed the Flocknote posts about the Catechism - Catechism in a Year.

One year I did the Popes in a Year series from Flocknote. That was a fun way to go through all of Church history in abbreviated form.

3. I am now reading The Aquinas Catechism. Here is a bit from the Forward to this edition.

St. Thomas Aquinas preached a series of sermons during Lent in 1273, the last year of his life. Delivered in the church of San Domenico in Naples in Thomas’ native Neapolitan dialect (rather than Latin), the sermons were directed tot he simple faithful and had an immediate and profound impact on those who heard them.
We are told by a contemporary Neapolitan (John Coppa) that “almost the whole population of Naples went to hear his sermons every day.”  And William of Tocco writes that “he was heard by the people with such reverence that it was as if his preaching came forth from God.” (p. xi)

Here is one quote about the Holy Spirit. It is from the section on the Apostles’ Creed.

The Giver of Life. The soul´s life is union with God, inasmuch as God is the life of the soul (just as the soul is the life of the body). Now, the Holy Spirit unites us to God by love, for He is Himself God´s love, which is why He gives life: “It is the Spirit that quickeneth.” (John 6:64)  Hence they added, The Giver of Life.  

Aquinas’ friend, Reginald summarized the sermons in Latin, and that is how they came down to us.

I am reading the Sophia press edition. It is under 300 pages with wide margins and spaces between each section, so it is a fairly easy and quick read. I am a very slow reader, but others will have no trouble finishing it quickly. It is well worth the time.

These Catechisms are a lot of fun to read & very practical. Give it a try. Protestants may or may not be surprised at how much of what we are and were taught is actually taken from Catholicism.  My saying that may or may not sit well with some.