Monday's Musings - Who's Going to Know?

I enjoyed reading Father Dismas Sayre, O.P.s Theology for the Laity column in the May-June 2025 issue of LIGHT and LIFE , in which he discussed God’s Omniscience.  I highly recommend you contact the Dominican Western Province’s Rosary Center & Confraternity at rosarycenter.org and subscribe to this publication. You can read Father’s full column here.

When I read the  following excerpt Father used from the Baltimore Catechism I knew I had to share it with those who read my blog. Many have suggested that parishes should make the Baltimore Catechism the center piece of faith formation programs. Few have done so. After you read the answer to question 18 as it appears in the 4th edition of the Baltimore Catechism, you will understand why we should be using this Catechism and how desperately we need to be shaken out of our complacency and taught the truths of our faith.

Sin, as you are about to discover or rediscover, is not a private matter. May the following thoughts encourage us all to work a little bit harder with God's grace, at routing sin out of our lives.

"18 Q. Does God know all things? A. God knows all things, even our most secret thoughts, words, and actions.

Certainly God "knows all things." First, because He is infinitely wise, and if He were ignorant of anything He would not be so. Secondly, because He is everywhere and sees and hears all. Darkness does not hide from His view, nor noise prevent Him from hearing. How could we sin if we thought of this! God is just here, looking at me and listening to me. Would I do what I am going to do now if I knew my parents, relatives, and friends were watching me? Would I like them to know that I am thinking about things sinful, and preparing to do shameful acts? No! Why then should I feel ashamed to let God see and know of this wicked thought or action? They might know it and yet be unable to harm me, but He, all-powerful, could destroy me instantly. Nay, more; not only will God see and know this evil deed or thought; but, by His gift, the Blessed Mother, the angels and saints will know of it and be ashamed of it before God, and, most of all, my guardian angel will deplore it. Besides, this sin will be revealed to the whole world on the last day, and my friends, relatives, and neighbors will know that I was guilty of it..."