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U.S. CATHOLIC CATECHISM FOR ADULTS. The Gift of the teaching tradition and Magisterium of the Church. The History of Catechisms: First 1500 years, an oral tradition. Root meaning of the word “Catechism” in Greek: “To Echo.”
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The Gift of the teaching tradition and Magisterium • of the Church. • The History of Catechisms: • First 1500 years, an oral tradition. Root meaning • of the word “Catechism” in Greek: “To Echo.” • “Speak and echo” method of catechesis evolved • into the question and answer format. • This approach evident in popular Catechism of St. • Peter Canisius (d.1597) and St. Robert Bellarmine • (d. 1621).
The Roman Catechism (1556) developed during • and after the Council of Trent (1563). Enduring • sourcebooks for local catechisms last edition • reprinted in 1978. • The U.S. Baltimore Catechism originated in 1884 • at the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore. • 421 questions and answers in 37 Chapters. • Gave unity to teaching and understanding of • the Catholic faith. • Impact until the Second Vatican Council in 1962.
The Challenge of Blessed John XXIII to articulate • a vision to guard and protect the deposit of • Christian doctrine – that is more accessible to • Christian faithful and to all people of good will. • Catechism of the Catholic Church 1992. Result • of Synod of Bishops contains 36 chapters. • Profession of Faith • Celebration of the Christian mystery • Life in Christ • Christian Prayer
Incorporates heritage of Doctors, Fathers, Saints • of the Church and sheds light on contemporary • situations, problems, questions. • United States Catholic Catechism for Adults – an • adaptation of the CCC, 2006. • Contents: 1) Creed • 2) Sacraments • 3) Moral life • 4) Prayer
Structure of each chapter: • Story or lesson of faith • Teaching • Relationship of teaching to culture • Questions for discussion • Meditation and prayer
CHAPTER I: “MY SOUL LONGS FOR YOU, O GOD” • Ps. 42:2 • Story: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton • Content: Universal desire for God (CCC #27). • This quest answered in three ways: • Creation • The human person • Revelation (greatest & most essential)
Creation: • “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Ps. 19:2
Through the Human Person: • “I praise you, so wonderfully you made me.” • Ps. 139:14
Throughout history, people have yearned • for God. • God’s inherent attractiveness in human life. • A Generation of Seekers: • - RCIA • - People’s search
CHAPTER 2: GOD COMES TO MEET US • God Reveals a Plan of Loving Goodness (CCC #50-67) • God Reveals His Holy Name: • Moses and burning bush • Numerous occasions of God’s revelation in Old • Testament. • Gradual revelation (Abraham & Moses) • Hebrews 1:1-2 “In Times past, God spoke in • partial and various ways.” “He was • manifested in the flesh”…. 1 Tim 3:16
Revelation: Self disclosure of the Living God • Requires faith • No new public revelation until the final • glorious manifestation of Jesus. • All that is needed has already been revealed. • Private revelation – Lourdes and Fatima -- • nothing new but an inspiration.
The Gospel and Culture • “The split between the Gospel and culture is without • a doubt the drama of our time.” Evangelii Nuntiandi • #20 (Pope Paul VI) • Religion not in vacuum. • History taught from secular standpoint. • Marginalization of religion. • Bring Gospel values into culture. • Change is slow. • Dealing with culture means to deal with people. • Rich tradition of Catholic Church.
CHAPTER 3: PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE • Mk 16:15 • Transmission of Divine Revelation (CCC #74-133) • Handing on the Faith • Filled with hope and faith. • Teaching faith more effectively. • Deepen understanding of doctrine. • Medicine of mercy. • Unity in Church, ecumenism, interreligious, relationships.
Transmitting God’s Revelation: • Sacred tradition – we do not believe in Sola Scriptura • Sacred scripture • - Interpretation of Scripture – spiritual and literal sense
Three spiritual senses: • Allegorical sense – crossing of the Red Sea • Moral sense – St Paul: they were “written for our instruction” (1 Cor 10) • 3. Anagogical sense – Church is a sign of the heavenly Jerusalem (CCC #117)
Other Biblical Interpretations: • Biblical literalism (fundamentalism) • Historical reductionism (desacralization). Pontifical Biblical Commission explains: • Denial of supernatural order. • Denial of God’s intervention in the world • through Revelation.
Denial of the possibility and existence of • miracles. • 4. Incompatibility of faith and historical truth (religion & science). • Denial of the historical value of the nature of • the documents of Revelation. • Scripture: God’s revealed word under guidance and • inspiration of the Holy Spirit – God’s words put in • human words.