Curiosity in the Catechism
In order to know my faith and the Catholic Church teachings more deeply, I decided to study the Catechism of the Catholic Church this year. The Catechism, at a high level, is a compilation of Church teachings, summaries, and doctrines that convey the truth, beauty, and fullness of our faith. Fortunately, at this time, a podcast exists called Catechism in a Year, hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz through Ascension Press that has guided my learning.
This whole process and journey of walking through the faith within the perspective of the Catechism has been a practice of curiosity. I am still in the process and loving the journey so far. One particular paragraph in the beginning stuck out to me that I want to share here.
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part One: The Profession of Faith, Divine Revelation Section One: I Believe—We Believe, The Search Chapter One: Man’s Capacity for God, we look at Ways of Coming to Know God. How can we come to know God? The Catechism answers in two ways: the physical world and the human person.
Within CCC paragraph 32, St. Augustine issues a challenge to:
“Question the beauty of the earth, question the beauty of the sea, question the beauty of the air distending and diffusing itself, question the beauty of the sky…question all these realities. All respond: ‘See, we are beautiful.’ Their beauty is a profession [confessio]. These beauties are subject to change. Who made them if not the Beautiful One [Pulcher] who is not subject to change.”
St. Augustine is challenging us to question the beauty and the realities of all that we see in the world. He is inviting us to take a moment and reflect on the beauty and reality in our everyday lives. This is one way that we can come to know God—through the beauty of the world. In the beauty of the earth, in the beauty of the sea, in the beauty of the air, in the beauty of the sky, we come to know God. Only God could have made these things.
Everything in our world is changing. Beauty is fleeting. This too shall pass. He is the only One unchanging.
Thought prompts:
Where do I see God in the physical world around me?
Can I challenge or question the beauty around me from a place of curiosity?
How can I come to know God more intimately through His beautiful creation in nature?
Thanks for reading and thank you for being curious! Sending you love.
xo,
Megan C
