Baltimore Catechism Volume Iv Part 32

The most delightful place we could possibly imagine as Heaven would not be near what it really is. Everything that is good is there and forever, and we shall never tire of its joys. All the pleasures and beauties of earth are as nothing compared with Heaven; and though we think we can imagine its beauty and happiness now, we shall see how far we have been from the real truth if ever we reach this heavenly home.

"G.o.d face to face"--that is, as He is. We shall not see Him with the eyes of the body, but of the soul. That we may see with our natural eyes, two things are necessary: first, an object to look at, and secondly, light to see it. Now, to see G.o.d in Heaven we need a special light, which is called the "light of glory." G.o.d Himself gives us this light and thus enables us to see Him as He is. This beautiful vision of G.o.d in Heaven is called the "beatific vision," and thus our whole life in Heaven--our joy and happiness--consists in the enjoyment of the beatific vision.

*421 Q. What words should we bear always in mind?

A. We should bear always in mind these words of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: "What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul, or what exchange shall a man give for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels: and then will He render to every man according to his works."

What does it benefit the poor creatures in h.e.l.l to have been rich, or beautiful, or learned, or powerful? If they had been good, it was all that was necessary to escape all their sufferings. Is there anything on earth that they would not give to be released? Why, then, did they sell their souls for so little while on earth? The present is the only time you have to merit Heaven and escape h.e.l.l. The past you cannot recall, and of the future you are not sure. Then use the present well and decide daily whether you wish to be in Heaven or in h.e.l.l.

NOTE--Wherever in the foregoing pages explanations have been omitted after certain questions or answers it is because the matter they contain has been explained in some preceding question, or is to be explained in some following question, or is clear enough in itself without explanation. The explanations of such questions or answers can be easily found by referring to the index.

QUESTIONS ON THE EXPLANATIONS

The Lord's Prayer

1. Who made the Lord's Prayer?

2. Why do we say "our" and not "my" Father?

3. Why do we call G.o.d "Father"?

4. What person of the Blessed Trinity is meant by "Father" in the Lord's Prayer?

5. Was G.o.d called "Father" before the time of Our Lord? Why?

6. Why do we say "Who art in Heaven," if G.o.d is everywhere?

7. What does "hallowed" mean?

8. What do we ask for by "Thy kingdom come"?

9. What does "Thy kingdom" mean here?

10. Who do G.o.d's will in Heaven?

11. What do we ask for by "our daily bread"?

12. Why do we say "daily"?

13. What do "trespa.s.ses" mean?

14. What do we mean by "as we forgive those who trespa.s.s against us"?

15. What example did Our Lord give?

16. What is temptation?

17. Does G.o.d tempt us to sin?

18. Is it a sin to be tempted?

19. Are there any tempters besides the devil?

20. Should we seek temptation?

21. What does "Amen" mean?

22. What does "Christian" mean?

23. What makes us Christian?

24. What does "doctrine" mean?

The Angelical Salutation

25. How many parts in the Hail Mary?

26. What part did the Angel Gabriel make?

27. When did he make it?

28. How did Mary know what the angel's words meant?

29. What part of the Hail Mary did St. Elizabeth make?

30. Who was St. Elizabeth's son?

31. Why is Mary called "blessed amongst women"?

32. What part of the Hail Mary did the Church make?

33. What does "hail" mean?

34. Why do we say "full of grace"?

35. Why is Mary called "holy"?

36. Why do we need Mary's prayer at the hour of death?

37. What is the Angelus?

38. What does "the Word" mean?

39. What does "made flesh" mean in the third part of the Angelus?

40. What is the Litany of the Blessed Virgin?

41. Are there other litanies besides the Litany of the Blessed Virgin?

The Apostles' Creed

42. What is a creed?

43. Who were the Apostles?

44. Were the Apostles bishops or priests?

45. How do you know?

46. Who were the disciples of Our Lord?

47. Why did the Apostles make the creed?

48. How many articles or parts in the Apostles' Creed?

49. What does "Creator" mean?

50. By what names is Our Lord called?

51. How many sons had G.o.d the Father?

52. Why do we say "died" instead of "was killed"?

53. Why do we say "He was buried"?

54. Is Limbo the same as Purgatory? Why?

55. Who were in Limbo at the time Our Lord was crucified?

56. Name some good men who lived before Christ.

57. Did Our Lord's body descend into Limbo?

58. Was Our Lord three full days in the holy sepulchre?

59. How can you prove they could not put Our Lord to death unless He permitted it?

60. Why do we say "right hand of G.o.d" when G.o.d has no hands?

61. What do you mean by "judge the living and the dead"?

62. Who are "the living"?

63. Who are "the dead" mentioned here?

64. What are ghosts?

65. Are there any?

66. What do you mean by the "Church Militant"?

67. Who are its members?

68. Who are the enemies of our salvation?

69. Why does the devil wish to keep us out of Heaven?

70. What do we mean when we say "the world" is one of our spiritual enemies?

71. Have all the saints their bodies in Heaven?