Catechism
Little Catechisms for Life
Telling each other true stories.
The world is but a stage for play
Upon the which a story’s told
About our moments and our days
With falls and finds both new and old
But who will be the teller of
The movements of our wandering hearts?
Our own accounts rise not above
What we can see and hear and touch
It’s best if the eternal Word
Tells us what’s up and what is down
When stories told by Him are heard
We see that north is north and south is south
1. Setting Out
Father: To what are you called today, beloved?
Children: To love the Lord our God,
with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.
Father: What an adventure! Anything else?
Children: To love our neighbour as ourselves.
Father: How can such a quest be made
in such a fallen world?
Children: By walking after the Spirit of God
who dwells in us through Christ.
He leads us not in the things of the flesh
but into righteousness.
2. But If Not
Father: Beloved, is the Lord able to keep you today
from trial and toil and danger?
Children: He is.
Father: Will He deliver you from all these?
Children: He will.
Father: But if not?
Children: Let it be known to one and to all,
that we will serve the Lord alone,
whether we sail or whether we stall,
we only bow to heaven’s throne.
3. Contentment
Father: Is it enough?
Family: It is!
Father: Are you content?
Family: We are!
Father: Who is the giver of these?
Family: God, the giver of every good gift.
Doxology
4. When It Shines
Father: Is it raining or shining, beloved?
Family: It’s shining.
Father: Does the sun shine by chance?
Family: No, it shines by God's grace.
Father: And we all say...
All: Thanks be to God.
5. When It Rains
Father: Is it raining or shining, beloved?
Family: It’s raining.
Father: Does the Lord send both?
Family: He does.
Father: Does the Lord work in both?
Family: He certainly does.
Father: And we all say...
All: Thanks be to God.
6. Sin Crouching
Father: Is sin crouched at the door, beloved?
Children: It is.
Father: And what does it want?
Children: To rule over us.
Father: But does sin have any claim on you?
Children: Certainly, certainly not!
Father: How can this be so?
Children: For one who has died
is free from sin,
and we died to sin with Christ!
Father: Then let not sin reign
in your mortal body,
that you should obey its lusts.
7. Folly Calling
Father: Is Folly calling, beloved?
Children: She is.
Father: What do you know of her?
Children: She promises sweetness
but serves only death.
Father: True, does wisdom also call?
Children: She does!
Father: And we all say...
All: Blessed is the one who listens to Wisdom,
and learns the notes of her chord,
whatever you do get wisdom, beloved,
begin with the fear of the Lord.
8. Doing Hard Things
Father: Is it difficult, beloved?
Child: It is.
Father: And what are you tempted to do?
Child: To shrink away from danger,
and from failure and defeat.
Father: Surely there’s a better way
for those who follow Christ?
Father: Together we say...
All: God is with his children
when they put their trust in Him,
He can give us courage,
say a prayer and then begin!
9. Athanasian Creed (portion)
Father: Now this is the catholic faith
Children: That we worship one God in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity
Father: The Father is uncreated
Children: The Son is uncreated, the Holy Spirit is uncreated
Father: The Father is immeasurable
Children: The Son is immeasurable, the Holy Spirit is immeasurable
Father: The Father is eternal
Children: The Son is eternal, the Holy Spirit is eternal
Father: And yet there are not three eternal beings
Children: There is but one eternal being
Father: So too there are not three uncreated and immeasurable beings
Children: There is but one uncreated and immeasurable being
Father: Similarly, the Father is almighty
Children: The Son is almighty, the Holy Spirit is almighty
Father: Yet there are not three almighty beings
Children: There is but one almighty being
Father: Thus, the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God
Children: Yet there are not three gods; there is but one God
Father: Thus, the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, the Holy Spirit is Lord.
Children: Yet there are not three lords; there is but one Lord.
Father: Just as Christian truth compels us to confess each person individually as both God and Lord
Children: So catholic religion forbids us to say that there are three gods or lords.
Father: Now this is the catholic faith
Children: That we worship one God in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity