The New Saint Joseph Baltimore
Official Revised Edition No. 1
Lesson 2
God and His Perfections
The power and wisdom of God were shown when Jesus calmed the storm
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth
We read in the Holy Bible:
Mark Chapter 4
On that day, as evening drew on, He said to them, "Let us cross to the other side."
Leaving the crowd, they took Him with them in the boat just as He was. And other boats were with Him.
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up.
Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" 9 The wind ceased and there was great calm.
Explanation
Jesus taught us about His Father
We cannot see God. Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth to teach us about His Father in heaven. “No one has at any time seen God. The only-begotten Son . . . He has revealed Him” (John 1, 18). By word and by action, Jesus showed us what the Father is like.
God knows all things
By calming the storm at sea, Jesus showed us, first, that the Father knows all things. Even though He was asleep, He knew there was a storm. God is all-knowing.
God can do all things
Second, Jesus showed us that God can do all things. Science tells us that storms have the power of many atom bombs. Yet with only one word, our Lord calmed the storm. God is almighty.
God is all-good
Third, Jesus showed us that God is all-good. He calmed the storm so that no harm would come to those He loved.
All these qualities of God are called his “perfections.” He has these powers without limit.
We praise the perfections of God in the Mass, especially in the Gloria. We call this “adoration.”
Practice
Praise God and His perfections by going to Mass as often as you can.
CATECHISM
8. What do we mean when we say that God is the Supreme Being?
When we say that God is the Supreme Being we mean that He is above all creatures.
9. What do we mean when we say that God is eternal?
When we say that God is eternal we mean that He always was and He always will be, and that He always remains the same.
10. What do we mean when we say that God is all-knowing?
When we say that God is all-knowing we mean that He knows all things, past, present, and future, even our most secret thoughts, words and actions.
We may be able to hide things from other people, but we cannot hide anything from God. He knows everything.
11. What do we mean when we say that God is all-present?
When we say that God is all-present we mean that He is everywhere.
God is right in this room, even though we cannot see Him.
He is always with us to help and protect us.
12. Does God see us?
God sees us and watches over us with loving care.
13. What do we mean when we say that God is almighty?
When we say that God is almighty we mean that He can do all things.
There is a limit to what man can do. But there is no limit to what God can do. He has all power.
Discussion Questions
1. What do we mean by God’s perfections?
2. What are some of God’s perfections?
3. Does man have any of these perfections?
4. Did God have a beginning?
5. Can we hide from God?
Yes or No
1. Is the power of God limited?
2. Does God see all things?
3. Does God know everything we do?
4. Is God only in church?
5. Is the future known to God?
Fill in the Blanks
1. We call God the …………..… Being.
2. God knows our most secret …..………, ……….…and ………….
3. God can do all things because He is …………….
4. God will always exist because He is ………….
5. Because God is everywhere He is …………………….
Other Readings
1. God is supreme. Matthew 4: 8-10
2. God is all-knowing and all-present. Psalm 138
3. God can do all things. Luke 1: 35-37
Class Liturgical Action
Learn to say (or sing) the Gloria of the Mass.
The Gloria of the Mass
Glory to God in the highest,
and, peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
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