The Catechism of the Catholic Church in Question and Answer Form

Questions and Answers

329. What does the expression “heaven and earth” mean in the Bible? (CCC 326) The expression “heaven and earth” means in the Bible creation in its entirety.

331. What does “heaven” mean in the Bible? (CCC 326) “Heaven” means in the Bible:
1. the firmament
2. the place of God where we hope to be one day
3. the place where the angels and saints already are.

332. How does the profession of Faith of Lateran IV explain “heaven and earth”? (CCC 327) The profession of Faith of Lateran IV (AD 1215) explains “heaven and earth” as meaning both orders of creatures, the spiritual (angelic) and the corporeal (earthly) order.

334. How does St Augustine define the angels? (CCC 329) St Augustine († 430) defines the angels according to their:
1. nature as spirits
2. office as God’s messengers.

335. What are the four characteristics of the angels? (CCC 330) The four characteristics of the angels are:
1. intellect and will
2. personhood
3. immortality
4. being pure spirits.

336. Why is Christ the centre of the angelic world? (CCC 331) Christ is the centre of the angelic world, because the angels belong to Him, being created through and for Him.

337. When do angels act for the first time in the Old Testament? (CCC 332) Angels act for the first time in the Old Testament when they close the earthly Paradise after original sin (Gen 3).

338. What is the most important mission fulfilled by an angel in the New Testament? (CCC 332) The most important mission fulfilled by an angel in the New Testament is the annunciation of Christ’s birth to Our Lady by the archangel Gabriel.

339. What is the main angelic hymn in the Liturgy of the Eucharist? (CCC 335) The main angelic hymn in the Liturgy of the Eucharist is:
1. in the Latin Liturgy: the Sanctus
2. in the Byzantine Liturgy: the Cherubic Hymn.

340. Who are the guardian angels? (CCC 336) The guardian angels are angels who stand beside each man as protectors and shepherds.

342. What truths does the Book of Genesis teach on the subject of creation? (CCC 337) On the subject of creation the Book of Genesis teaches the truths about the inner nature and value of creation and its ordering to the praise of God.

343. When did the world begin? (CCC 338) The world began when God drew it out of nothingness.

344. Why does each creature possess its own goodness and perfection? (CCC 339) Each creature possesses its own goodness and perfection, because for each creature it is said: “And God saw that it was good” (Gen 1).

345. Why are creatures interdependent? (CCC 340) Creatures are interdependent, because they complete each other.

346. What does the beauty of creation reflect? (CCC 341) The beauty of creation reflects the infinite beauty of the Creator.

347. How is the hierarchy of creatures expressed in Gen 1? (CCC 342) The hierarchy of creatures is expressed in Gen 1 by the order of the six days of creation, from the less perfect to the more perfect.

349. From what fact does the solidarity among all creatures arise? (CCC 344) The solidarity among all creatures arises from the fact that:
1. all creatures have the same Creator
2. all creatures are ordered to the Creator’s glory.

350. What is the Sabbath in the context of creation? (CCC 345) In the context of creation the Sabbath is:
1. the end of the work of the six days
2. the seventh day on which God rested.

351. What does it mean that creation was ordered toward the Sabbath? (CCC 347) That creation was ordered toward the Sabbath means, that it was fashioned for the worship and the adoration of God.

352. What is the “eighth day” of creation? (CCC 349) The “eighth day” of creation is the day of Christ’s Resurrection.
The work of creation culminates in the greater work of redemption.

353. What is the difference between the “seventh” and the “eighth” day of creation? (CCC 349) The difference between the “seventh” and the “eighth” day of creation is that the seventh day completes the first creation while the eighth day begins the new creation.