Baltimore Catechism Volume Iii Part 7

Q. 164. What do we mean when we say G.o.d is "infinitely perfect"?

A. When we say G.o.d is "infinitely perfect" we mean there is no limit or bounds to His perfection; for He possesses all good qualities in the highest possible degree and He alone is "infinitely perfect."

Q. 165. {14} Had G.o.d a beginning?

A. G.o.d had no beginning; He always was and He always will be.

Q. 166. {15} Where is G.o.d?

A. G.o.d is everywhere.

Q. 167. How is G.o.d everywhere?

A. G.o.d is everywhere whole and entire as He is in any one place. This is true and we must believe it, though we cannot understand it.

Q. 168. {16} If G.o.d is everywhere, why do we not see Him?

A. We do not see G.o.d, because He is a pure spirit and cannot be seen with bodily eyes.

Q. 169. Why do we call G.o.d a "pure spirit"?

A. We call G.o.d a pure spirit because He has no body. Our soul is a spirit, but not a "pure" spirit, because it was created for union with our body.

Q. 170. Why can we not see G.o.d with the eyes of our body?

A. We cannot see G.o.d with the eyes of our body because they are created to see only material things, and G.o.d is not material but spiritual.

Q. 171. {17} Does G.o.d see us?

A. G.o.d sees us and watches over us.

Q. 172. Is it necessary for G.o.d to watch over us?

A. It is necessary for G.o.d to watch over us, for without His constant care we could not exist.

Q. 173. {18} Does G.o.d know all things?

A. G.o.d knows all things, even our most secret thoughts, words, and actions.

Q. 174. {19} Can G.o.d do all things?

A. G.o.d can do all things, and nothing is hard or impossible to Him.

Q. 175. When is a thing said to be "impossible"?

A. A thing is said to be "impossible" when it cannot be done. Many things that are impossible for creatures are possible for G.o.d.

Q. 176. {20} Is G.o.d just, holy, and merciful?

A. G.o.d is all just, all holy, all merciful, as He is infinitely perfect.

Q. 177. Why must G.o.d be "just" as well as "merciful"?

A. G.o.d must be just as well as merciful because He must fulfill His promise to punish those who merit punishment, and because He cannot be infinite in one perfection without being infinite in all.

Q. 178. Into what sins will the forgetfulness of G.o.d's justice lead us?

A. The forgetfulness of G.o.d's justice will lead us into sins of presumption.

Q. 179. Into what sins will the forgetfulness of G.o.d's mercy lead us?

A. The forgetfulness of G.o.d's mercy will lead us into sins of despair.

LESSON THIRD.

ON THE UNITY AND TRINITY OF G.o.d.

Q. 180. What does "unity," and what does "trinity" mean?

A. "Unity" means being one, and "trinity" means three-fold or three in one.

Q. 181. Can we find an example to fully ill.u.s.trate the mystery of the Blessed Trinity?

A. We cannot find an example to fully ill.u.s.trate the mystery of the Blessed Trinity, because the mysteries of our holy religion are beyond comparison.

Q. 182. {21} Is there but one G.o.d?

A. Yes; there is but one G.o.d.

Q. 183. {22} Why can there be but one G.o.d?

A. There can be but one G.o.d because G.o.d, being supreme and infinite, cannot have an equal.

Q. 184. What does "supreme" mean?

A. "Supreme" means the highest in authority; also the most excellent or greatest possible in anything. Thus in all things G.o.d is supreme, and in the Church the Pope is supreme.

Q. 185. When are two persons said to be equal?

A. Two persons are said to be equal when one is in no way greater than or inferior to the other.

Q. 186. {23} How many persons are there in G.o.d?

A. In G.o.d there are three Divine persons, really distinct, and equal in all things--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Q. 187. What do "divine" and "distinct" mean?

A. "Divine" means pertaining to G.o.d, and "distinct" means separate; that is, not confounded or mixed with any other thing.

Q. 188. {24} Is the Father G.o.d?

A. The Father is G.o.d and the first Person of the Blessed Trinity.

Q. 189. {25} Is the Son G.o.d?

A. The Son is G.o.d and the second Person of the Blessed Trinity.

Q. 190. {26} Is the Holy Ghost G.o.d?

A. The Holy Ghost is G.o.d and the third Person of the Blessed Trinity.

Q. 191. Do "first," "second," and "third" with regard to the persons of the Blessed Trinity mean that one person existed before the other or that one is greater than the other?

A. "First," "second," and "third" with regard to the persons of the Blessed Trinity do not mean that one person was before the other or that one is greater than the other; for all the persons of the Trinity are eternal and equal in every respect. These numbers are used to mark the distinction between the persons, and they show the order in which the one proceeded from the other.

Q. 192. {27} What do you mean by the Blessed Trinity?

A. By the Blessed Trinity I mean one G.o.d in three Divine Persons.

Q. 193. {28} Are the three Divine Persons equal in all things?

A. The three Divine Persons are equal in all things.

Q. 194. {29} Are the three Divine Persons one and the same G.o.d?

A. The three Divine Persons are one and the same G.o.d, having one and the same Divine nature and substance.