Who is God? Just look at humanity and all that surrounds us and readily you get the sense that “something” bigger than ourselves is responsible for the whole of creation. We have an intellect and reasoning that is higher than any other creature on earth. It is with our ability to reason we come to first believe that God does exist. Science teaches us that matter can neither be created nor destroyed. Not a thing came from nothing. Even God is an entity, that is to say “one God and one Lord” (1Corinthians 8:6) in three Persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) which is well established in the Old and New Testament writings. Thanks be to God, everything that He created was made for our good, that is to say, to be with Him in Heaven. Ultimately, it is a matter of faith to believe in the Holy Trinity which itself is a gift from God.
What is the greatest purpose for which we were created?
To know, love, and serve God. (From the Baltimore Catechism)
How do we know that man was created for God alone?
Because God sent His only begotten Son for our salvation. Salvation is a process, not a point in time. We are working it out. The One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church provides us with the means to work out our salvation by the Divine traditions (great and small) and Sacraments which continue Christ’s ministry on earth to guide us to our intended destiny, to live with God for all eternity.
Why is Instruction of the Catechism Important?
The principal way a person comes to know, love and serve God in order to reach their principal end, Heaven, one must be taught by an authorized teacher (including parents and grandparents) or preacher from within the Church. As stated in the Holy Bible, “faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ” Romans 10:17. When a person is deprived of Catechetical education, the soul is weakened and thus lies open to demonic attacks harder to resist. Learning about the pathway to Heaven leads a person to live by faith, prayer, the Sacraments, devotions and practices that supply the graces we need to gain the strength to resist evil. We need God’s grace. God is Holy. We must become Saints in order to work out our salvation, that is to say, redeemed and sanctified through Jesus Christ; in order to one day enter into the beatific vision of God in Heaven. Three of my favorite references for Catechesis are The Baltimore Catechism (a question-and-answer format), the Catechism of the Council of Trent and the Catechism Explained by Rev. Fr. Francis Spirago.