Exploring Baltimore Catechism

When we talk about saving our souls, it might sound complicated, but it’s really a simple and beautiful journey that everyone can understand. The Baltimore Catechism teaches us a straightforward path to salvation, which is open to everyone, no matter their background or education. What Must We Do to Save Our Souls? The answer is: "We must worship God by faith, hope, and charity; that is, we must believe in Him, hope in Him, and love Him with all our heart." Let's break this down step-by-step. 1. Worship God with Faith Faith is believing in God, even though we can’t see Him with our eyes. It’s like trusting that the sun will rise every morning, even on the darkest nights. We are called to believe that God is real, that He loves us, and that He has a plan for each one of us. Having faith means: Trusting that God exists and that He is always with us. Believing in the teachings of Jesus, who showed us how to live a good life. Understanding that the Bible and the Church guide

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes." – Psalm 118:71 These words from Psalm 118 hold a deep and powerful message that resonates in the hearts of those who have faced hardships and suffering. At first glance, it may seem strange to say that affliction is good . How can pain, struggle, and sorrow be seen as blessings? Yet, it is often through these very trials that we come to know God more intimately and understand His ways more clearly. The Unexpected Gift of Affliction When I first encountered this verse, it was during a particularly difficult season of my life. Everything seemed to be falling apart—plans crumbled, relationships strained, and the weight of my worries felt unbearable. I found myself asking, “Why, God? Why is this happening to me?” It’s a question that, I believe, many of us have whispered in the silence of our hearts. In those moments of brokenness, it’s easy to feel abandoned and alone. But looking back, I realize t

Imagine you’re given two precious gifts—one that will last forever and another that will eventually wear out and disappear. Which one would you take better care of? This is the question the Baltimore Catechism addresses in this simple yet profound teaching: 152. Q. Of which must we take more care, our soul or our body? A. We must take more care of our soul than of our body. It’s a powerful reminder that while it’s important to care for our physical well-being, our soul is of far greater importance. In this blog, we will explore why our soul deserves more attention than our body and how we can care for it in a way that brings true peace and joy. Understanding the Soul and the Body Before we dive into why the soul is more important, let’s first understand what we mean by the “soul” and the “body.” The Body: Our body is the physical part of us—what we can see, touch, and feel. It’s what we use to interact with the world around us. We eat, sleep, work, and move with our bodies. While it’s

Have you ever wondered why knowing God is so important? Why do we need to have a relationship with Him, and what difference does it make in our lives? The Baltimore Catechism provides a simple yet profound answer to this question: 151. Q. Why is it necessary to know God? A. It is necessary to know God because without knowing Him we cannot love Him; and without loving Him we cannot be saved. We should know Him because He is infinitely true; love Him because He is infinitely beautiful; and serve Him because He is infinitely good. Let’s break this answer down to understand why knowing God is so essential and how it can transform our lives. Why Knowing God Comes First The first part of the answer tells us that it is necessary to know God because without knowing Him we cannot love Him. This makes perfect sense if we think about our relationships with people. How can we truly love someone if we don’t know anything about them? The same is true for our relationship with God. Knowing God means

Have you ever wondered, “Why am I here?” or “What is the purpose of my life?” These are big questions that people of all ages and backgrounds ask themselves. We all want to know why we were created and what we are supposed to do with our lives. Thankfully, the answer to this question is beautifully simple and powerful. According to the Baltimore Catechism, the answer is: 150. Q. Why did God make you? A. God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in the next. Let’s break this down to understand what it really means and how it can bring joy and meaning to our lives. The Meaning of Life: To Know God The first part of the answer tells us that God made us to know Him . But what does it mean to know God? It’s not just about knowing facts or information about Him. It means building a relationship with Him, just like you would with a friend or family member. Knowing God means: Learning About Him: We can learn about God by reading the

When we look at the world around us, we see a wonderful order in everything God has created. From the tiniest insects to the largest animals, each creature is given exactly what it needs to survive and fulfill its purpose. One of the amazing gifts God has given to animals is instinct . But did you know that humans have instinct too? Even though we are blessed with reason and the ability to think and make choices, we also have instinct to help us in moments of sudden danger. In today’s blog, we will explore the question: 149. Q. Have men as well as brutes “instinct?” A. Men have “instinct,” and they show it when placed in sudden danger, when they have not time to use their reason. A falling man instantly grasps for something to support him. Let’s dive into what this means, how it affects us, and why it’s important to recognize both our instinct and our reason as gifts from God. What Is Instinct? Instinct is like a built-in response that helps animals—and even humans—react quickly to sit

Have you ever wondered how animals seem to know exactly what to do without anyone teaching them? Birds build nests, bees make honey, and dogs bark at strangers. All these behaviors happen naturally. But why is that? How do animals know what to do without the ability to think or reason as we do? The Baltimore Catechism provides an answer: 147. Q. What gift in animals takes the place of reason? A. In animals the gift of “instinct” takes the place of reason in guiding their actions. In this blog, we will explore what instinct is, how it differs from human reason, and why understanding this difference can inspire us to appreciate the unique gifts God has given to both animals and humans. Whether you are new to these concepts or looking to deepen your understanding, let’s journey together in learning more about this beautiful part of God’s creation. What Is Instinct? Instinct is an inborn ability that helps animals act in certain ways without needing to learn or think about it. It’s like a

Have you ever wondered what makes us, as human beings, different from animals? Why are we able to learn, grow, and make choices, while animals seem to follow the same patterns throughout their lives? This special difference lies in two unique gifts that God has given to humans: understanding and free will . In the Baltimore Catechism, this is explained clearly: 146. Q. Do brute animals have “understanding” and “free will”? A. Brute animals have not “understanding” and “free will.” They have not “understanding” because they never change their habits or better their condition. They have not “free will” because they never show it in their actions. Let’s explore what this means, why these gifts are so important, and how they shape our lives in ways that are both inspiring and empowering. What Are “Understanding” and “Free Will”? Understanding is our ability to think, to reason, and to gain knowledge. It’s what allows us to learn from our experiences, to grow in wisdom, and to change our

Have you ever felt torn between doing something good and something not so good? Maybe you were deciding whether to help a friend or ignore them, to tell the truth or to lie. That feeling of having to choose is because of a special gift God has given us called free will . This is a unique ability that sets us apart from animals and even the rest of creation. In the Baltimore Catechism, free will is explained like this: 145. Q. What is “free will?” A. “Free will” is that gift of God by which we are enabled to choose between one thing and another; and to do good or evil in spite of reward or punishment. Let’s break this down and explore what free will means in a way that’s easy to understand and can inspire us to make the right choices in our daily lives. What Is Free Will? Free will is like having a compass inside us that helps us decide which way to go. It’s the ability to choose between right and wrong, good and evil. This doesn’t mean we can do whatever we want without consequences, b

Imagine receiving a special letter from someone who loves you deeply, filled with words that guide, comfort, and help you understand who they are and what they want for you. This is what God’s revelation is like—a loving message from God, our Creator, who wants us to know the truth about Him, about ourselves, and about the world. In the Baltimore Catechism, we find a question and answer that help us understand what revelation means: 144. Q. What do we call the truths God teaches us? A. Taken together, we call the truths God teaches us Revelation, and we call the manner by which He teaches them also revelation. Let’s explore what this means in a way that is clear, inspiring, and encouraging, even for those who may not have much formal education. What is Revelation? The word “revelation” might sound complicated, but it’s actually quite simple. It means to “reveal” or to “uncover” something that was hidden. Just like lifting the lid off a pot to see what’s inside, God reveals or uncovers