Know Your Religion

"He was full of wisdom and the grace of God was upon him." St. Luke, 2:40

It was Christmas of 1886 in the very heart of France. A man by the name of Paul Claudel was trying to gain a name and place as a writer. He was not the least interested in religion, but in order to get the atmosphere of Christmas for an article he was writing, he attended the Solemn High Mass in the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. The crowded church made him uncomfortable. Nevertheless, Christmas afternoon he was again in the cathedral, kneeling near a pillar.

Vespers and the singing of the Magnificant touched the heart of the young writer. After the last note had died away, and the last candle had been put out, and the last cloud of incense had floated away, and the last worshipper had departed, Claudel remained. All alone in that mighty cathedral he hid his face in his hands. Suddenly he realized that he was praying. He also realized that there was only one thing for him to do - ­make a complete and deep study of religion.

That he did and four years later on Christmas of 1890 in that very same cathedral he made his first Holy Communion. Since then his name has been listed among the literary great. From 1927 to 1933 he served as ambassador of France to the United States.

Everyone who wants to be a thorough, faithful, committed Catholic like Claudel must make a serious and deep study of religion. One may have genuine faith with but little knowledge, but the more you know about your faith the deeper that faith can be. There are certain things every Catholic must know:

1. You must know that there is but one God and you must know that there is a heaven and a hell. You must also know about the Holy Trinity and that Jesus, the Son of God, became Man and died for all of us. You must know these four foundation truths in order to receive the Sacraments. These facts are necessary as means.

2. By command of the Church you must also know:

a. The Commandments of God and of the Church.
b. The seven sacraments.
c. The Our Father, Hail Mary, and Apostles' Creed.
d. The duties of your state in life.

3. Every person who desires to become a Catholic is instructed in these principal truths of our faith. Every born Catholic is also instructed in them. And should there be present here today anyone reading this who calls himself a Catholic, but who does not know the points we have mentioned, he is bound in conscience to learn them, if he possibly can.

Too many neglect this duty of the First Commandment - the solemn, serious duty to know your religion. Many have little time and talent. Others are able to learn very little about religion. But I know that most Catholics are able to learn religion. I repeat: You have a solemn duty to learn the truths of your Catholic faith.

Why?

Look at the results of religious ignorance.

a. We see many who don't believe in God, or who act and live as if they did not believe. Atheists are born and nourished in religious ignorance.

b. We see many who believe nothing but what they can see or feel or figure out. Faith plays no part in their lives.

c. We see Secularism, condemned by the bishops of the United States in 1948 as our principal problem. It means that the things of the spirit are unknown and unheeded by too many.

d. We see every kind of crime committed because people do not know better, or because they do not know where or how to get the grace and help to do better.

To know your religion is a strict obligation, particularly of parents. Fathers and mothers must know their religion and must see that their chil­dren learn their religion. God will hold every parent responsible for the soul of his child. Let me suggest a few ways in which you can make a serious study of religion, as did Paul Claudel, the great French writer, statesman and Catholic:

1. Read your Bible: Time and again we have urged you to do that. In the New Year read a chapter every day or at least every week.

2. Read faithfully Catholic newspapers, such as a good diocesan newspaper. There you find your faith applied to the problems of the day.

3. Read some good Catholic magazines.

4. Read some book that gives you a connected explanation of your faith. Books from Ignatius Press are excellent in this regard.

5. When you have questions about religion you can't answer, call us up, make an appointment and get the answer clear and straight. You can also call the Apologetics Department at Catholic Answers at 619-387-7200. They would be happy to help.

6. Attend good Catholic study and discussion clubs.

7. Listen thoughtfully and attentively to every sermon you hear. There is always a thought in it.

8. Take home a pamphlet and read it, talk about it.

May the story of Paul Claudel inspire you to study your religion. May the First Commandment awaken you to the duty of knowing your faith. Thank God, you have the faith. Keep it by knowing it thoroughly and practicing it.

May the picture of Jesus in St. Luke's Gospel be a picture of you: "He ­grew in wisdom." May you grow, everyone of you, in the wisdom and knowledge of our glorious Catholic faith. Amen.
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Adapted from Talks on the Commandments by Fr. Arthur Tonne