LESSON 1 - ON THE END OF MAN

Question 1

What do we mean by the “end of man”?

Answer 1

By the “end of man” we mean the purpose for which he was created: namely, to know, love, and serve God.

Question 2

How do you know that man was created for God alone?

Answer 2

I know that man was created for God alone because everything in the world was created for something more perfect than itself: but there is nothing in the world more perfect than man; therefore, he was created for something outside this world, and since he was not created for the Angels, he must have been created for God.

Question 3

In what respect are all men equal?

Answer 3

All men are equal in whatever is necessary for their nature and end. They are all composed of a body and soul; they are all created to the image and likeness of God; they are all gifted with understanding and free will; and they have all been created for the same end – God.

Question 4

Do not men differ in many things?

Answer 4

Men differ in many things, such as learning, wealth, power, etc.; but these things belong to the world and not man’s nature. He came into this world without them and he will leave it without them. Only the consequences of good or evil done in this world will accompany men to the next.

Question 5

Who made the world?

Answer 5

God made the world.

Question 6

What does “world” mean in this question?

Answer 6

In this question “world” means the universe; that is, the whole creation; all that we now see or may hereafter see.

Question 7

Who is God?

Answer 7

God is the Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things.

Question 8

What is man?

Answer 8

Man is a creature composed of body and soul, and made to the image and likeness of God.

Question 9

Does “man” in the Catechism mean all human beings?

Answer 9

“Man” in the Catechism means all human beings, either men or women, boys, girls, or children.

Question 10

What is a creature?

Answer 10

A creature is anything created, whether it has life or not; body or no body. Every being, person, or thing except God Himself may be called a creature.

Question 11

Is this likeness in the body or in the soul?

Answer 11

This likeness is chiefly in the soul.

Question 12

How is the soul like to God?

Answer 12

The soul is like to God because it is a spirit that will never die, and has understanding and free will.

Question 13

Is every invisible thing a spirit?

Answer 13

Every spirit is invisible – which means can not be seen; but every invisible thing is not a spirit. The wind is invisible, and it is not a spirit.

Question 14

Has a spirit any other quality?

Answer 14

A spirit is also indivisible; that is, it can not be divided into parts, as we divide material things.

Question 15

What do the words “will never die” mean?

Answer 15

By the words “will never die” we mean that the soul, when once created, will never cease to exist, whatever be its condition in the next world. Hence we say the soul is immortal or gifted with immortality.

Question 16

Why then do we say a soul is dead while in a state of mortal sin?

Answer 16

We say a soul is dead while in a state of mortal sin, because in that state it is as helpless as a dead body, and can merit nothing for itself.

Question 17

What does our “understanding” mean?

Answer 17

Our “understanding” means the “gift of reason,” by which man is distinguished from all other animals, and by which he is enabled to think and thus acquire knowledge and regulate his actions.

Question 18

Can we learn all truths by our reason alone?

Answer 18

We can not learn all truths by our reason alone, for some truths are beyond the power of our reason and must be taught to us by God.

Question 19

What do we call the truths God teaches us?

Answer 19

Taken together, we call the truths God teaches us revelation, and we call the manner by which He teaches them also revelation.

Question 20

What is “Free Will”?

Answer 20

“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.

Question 21

Have brute animals “understanding” and “free will”?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

What gift in animals supplies the place of reason?

Answer 22

In animals the gift of “instinct” supplies the place of reason in guiding their actions.

Question 23

What is instinct?

Answer 23

“Instinct” is a gift by which all animals are impelled to follow the laws and habits that God has given to their nature.

Question 24

Have men as well as brutes “instinct”?

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Why did God make you?

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Why is it necessary to know God?

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

Of which must we take more care, our soul or our body?

Answer 27

We must take more care of our soul than of our body.

Question 28

Why must we take more care of our soul than of our body?

Answer 28

We must take more care of our soul than of our body, because in losing our soul we lose God and everlasting happiness.

Question 29

What must we do to save our souls?

Answer 29

To save our souls, 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.

Question 30

What does “worship” mean?

Answer 30

“Worship” means to give divine honor by acts such as the offering of prayer or sacrifice.

Question 31

How shall we know the things which we are to believe?

Answer 31

We shall know the things which we are to believe from the Catholic Church, through which God speaks to us.

Question 32

What do we mean by the “Church, through which God speaks to us”?

Answer 32

By the “Church, through which God speaks to us,” we mean the “teaching Church”; that is, the Pope, Bishops, and priests, whose duty it is to instruct us in the truths and practices of our religion.

Question 33

Where shall we find the chief truths which the Church teaches?

Answer 33

We shall find the chief truths which the Church teaches in the Apostles’ Creed.

Question 34

If we shall find only the “chief truths” in the Apostles’ Creed, where shall we find the remaining truths?

Answer 34

We shall find the remaining truths of our Faith in the religious writings and preachings that have been sanctioned by the authority of the Church.

Question 35

Name some sacred truths not mentioned in the Apostles’ Creed.

Answer 35

In the Apostles’ Creed there is no mention of the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist, nor of the Infallibility of the Pope, nor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, nor of some other truths that we are bound to believe.

Question 36

Say the Apostles’ Creed.

Answer 36

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into hell: the third day He arose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty: from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.