When I started RCIA class as a Protestant in 2009, I met the Catholic Church's Catechism (CCC). As affectionately known, The Big Green Book is “a complete and accurate exposition of Catholic doctrine.” I was thrilled that The Catholic Church had such a readable manual, for I'd never before seen Christian beliefs so compiled by any Christian church or denomination.
From this revelation of Catholic wisdom, I began looking to the CCC when I had questions during my Quiet Time. Instead of going without answers, I now had two thousand years of Magisterium to respond to my daily queries. If I had questions on anything–-birth control, homosexuality, same-sex marriages, grace, prayer, adherence to the Sabbath? Well, in the CCC, I could always find the answer.
“Faith Alone” and “Scripture Alone” (Luther’s assertions– and both of which are unscriptural, by the way) don’t provide the answers. I can depend on the Church’s wisdom in the CCC to find any response. As Blessed Pope John Paul II said:
“I ask all the Church’s shepherds and faithful members to receive this Catechism in a spirit of communion and to make careful use of it in carrying out their mission to proclaim the faith and the call to the gospel life. This Catechism is given to them to serve as a sure and authentic sourcebook for the teaching of Catholic doctrine and especially for the composition of local catechisms. It is also offered to all the faithful who want to understand better the inexhaustible riches of salvation.”
Now, my question for you, dear reader, IS in this Year of Faith declared by Pope Benedict Emeritus, are you taking advantage of this amazing Sacred Guidebook of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church? If not, you aren't taking advantage of this Free Guidebook for a Great Life. I encourage you to try this: “A chapter a day keeps the enemy away.” (I made that one up, but I've watched it totally work.) Thus, be it a chapter of The Bible or a chapter of the CCC, commit to a chapter of either, or preferably BOTH, and watch how each part of your life becomes fuller, richer, and wiser.
Also, for youth, YOUCAT (Youth Catechism) was created. Pope Benedict Emeritus said, “This book (YOUCAT) is exciting because it speaks of our own destiny and so deeply engages every one of us.” Our King family reads a page of YOUCAT at dinner along with a chapter of a Catholic Youth Bible. Easy, entertaining, and much better than sitting in front of the TV, wolfing down our meal. Both The Big Green Book (CCC) and YOUCAT are found at your local Catholic bookstore or amazon.com.
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Martha Wild King, M. Ed., Author
The Frugal Catholic: Learn to live on less to give and save more.