Catechism for Filipino Catholics

Ric Maulion .

MAN is both body and soul. There’s a 705-page book  I am highly  recommending for the nourishment and comfort of your soul. It is a nice read and a must read. It would definitely make your day.

It’s a relatively old book actually printed in 1997 by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) but its contents are timeless and relevant. The preface tells it all: from the beginning of the christianization of the Philippines to the end of the 20th century; four centuries of Catechesis in our country; one uninterrupted effort to remain faithful to God, man and church; one continuous endeavor to make the Catholic Faith relevant to the culture and the lives of Filipinos.

Reading this would make you spiritually well-grounded, cool and a dynamic practicing Christian living out your faith as true disciple of Christ. It would make you feel secure, too, in your spiritual journey amid crises and challenges what with the implacable onslaught on Catholic Faith and Doctrine  by crazy self-anointed heretics and self-professing messiahs the likes of Duterte and his ilk tried to shake and destroy but  to no avail.

The first four chapters deals with the foundations: Who is the  Filipino Catholic? How God calls him through Revelation, and his response through faith capped by his resolution of his unbelief.

Three major divisions of the book follow. Part I discusses long-held Catholic doctrines of Christ as our truth — the Creed incorporated His dominant role in the history of salvation. These are the concepts of God as Almighty Father, creator of heaven and earth, promised a savior who  died and was buried but rose from the dead and ascended into heaven on the third day.

Part II talks about morality with Christ, being the way, the truth and the life. (Jn. 14:6) Here, discipleship is treated to the core, giving premium on the proper use of freedom and conscience. Taking the challenge of following Christ becomes an invitation. Tough act to follow actually, easier said than done enjoining us walking our talk as we said.

Such is not a big deal however. With the power of the Holy Spirit through baptism and confirmation, one can just make wonders. You have just to go out from your comfort zone and start reaching out to people. No ifs and buts but pure surrender.

The rest of moralities were spelled out in the Ten Commandments. The first three commandments governing loving God and the succeeding seven mandates were towards loving our neighbor. Again, it’s better said than done. But that’s the way how God works in our lives. Living morally can not be reduced to a series of do’s and don’ts, the book emphasized.   There’s always the premium on discipleship based on  truth sustained through prayers and sacraments.

Part III centers on worship of Christ through prayer, sacraments, Eucharist and healing ministries.

The Lord’s Prayer is the fitting epilogue. We return back the compliments to God asking to have our fill each day, free from temptation  and delivered away from evil and sin. How consoling indeed to continue praising God asking his protection and mercy all the rest of our lives during this time of uncertainty.

Is this not already heaven living life abundantly while still here on earth?