Going through The Catechism in a Year podcast — thank you, Father Mike Schmitz — has been a fun and helpful daily activity for my wife (my best friend) and me, keeping both of us centered on what is true as taught by the Church through sacred Scripture and tradition.
The double bonus is the time we share together, coupled with the opportunity to discuss and discern how divine truth can be applied to the world in which we live. The Catechism of the Catholic Church can help make and keep us sharp in the areas of faith and reason, although we need to delve deeper into the footnotes that dig into other sources including — the best source of God’s truth — the Bible.
Searching in the Scriptures and working through excellent resources like the catechism, one discovers that divine truth is indeed timeless. It is especially fruitful when engaging with friends in prayer, study and dialogue — as in any small group and faith-based activity. The Scriptures show all that is good, beautiful and true in God’s story of salvation. Together, we can challenge each other with good questions to discuss, to sort out the shades of gray and clutter, to clear up some of the mess that has gotten in the way of truth since that occurrence of the primeval nemesis we call original sin.
The good news is that since the fall of Adam and Eve, God has not given up on restoring us back into his divine friendship, through his word and the sacraments. Jesus is the good news, who became one of us to save us and show us the value that true friendship has for our eternal souls. “The more we share in the life of Christ and progress in his friendship, the more difficult to break away from him by mortal sin” (CCC 1395). Learning with others — in the context of Christ’s friendship — helps us progress by sharing divine truths as in the wisdom of Ecclesiastes: “Where one alone may be overcome, two together can resist. A three-ply cord is not easily broken” (Eccl 4:12).
Look to the divine friendship Jesus spoke of to his disciples in the Gospels, as he taught and witnessed to what true friendship is. “You are my friends if you do what I command you … I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from my Father I have made known to you” (Jn 15:14-15). Teaching, sharing and witnessing to the faith with others — starting with our families — develops, grows and sustains bold witnesses with strong wills and intellects that the culture we live in greatly needs.
Many faith-based examples of living the moral life are given by our triune God — the creation of male and female (Gn 1:27), the definition of the sanctity of marriage (Mt 19:4-6), the value of the dignity of life (Ps 139:13-16) and so many others. In his infinite wisdom, God inspired the biblical authors to write things down that would resonate through the ages — including the here and now — to read, teach, protect and practice.
Applying God’s wisdom by encountering Jesus in sacred Scripture is a daily practice for Catholic Watchmen. I truly enjoy the fruits of this discipline, because it helps equip and prepare me for homilies and large group fellowship as well as my daily mission with friends and friends-to-be. I can bring the saving knowledge of Jesus to others in a practical sense, such as when I engage with others at the workplace, over coffee, during hikes and bike rides, and through small group activities. We can share divine truths with friends in our restoration process to divine friendship with Jesus — and hopefully make new friends for our Lord — through his way, his truth and his life.
Deacon Bird ministers to St. Joseph in Rosemount and All Saints in Lakeville, and assists with the archdiocesan Catholic Watchmen movement. See heroicmen.com for existing tools supported by the archdiocese to enrich parish apostolates for ministry to men. For Watchmen start-up materials, or any other questions regarding ministry to men, contact him at gordonbird@rocketmail.com.
