I used to think that anyone and everyone should read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, whether or not they be Catholic.

I don't think this way anymore.

CCC paragraph 1263 is cited in support of the opinion that "a Roman Catholic would tell you that baptism saves."

On the one hand, I'm left asking "Why would a Church administer insignificant actions on behalf of one of its own?"

IOW, what's the point of performing an action, any action, that does not advance one closer to the kingdom of heaven? We shouldn't waste our resources on anything less.

But also, if Catholics believe that baptism saves, then why the other sacraments? Why reconciliation? Why holy communion? Why weekly or daily worship services?

Because baptism is a beginning to the journey.

The Catechism is largely aimed at the Church's teachers and leaders: cardinals, bishops, priests and deacons. Of course, the laity may read. We all own copies. I have three copies. It's available online.

But we are at risk of drawing incomplete or distorted conclusions. My recent posting on Catholic eschatology quoted a few paragraphs from the Catechism. Is my posting a perfect reflection of Church teaching on the End Times especially because I quoted the Catechism verbatim? I doubt it. I might have missed a paragraph tucked away someplace. I would love for someone to help me do better.

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

And I approach with a desire for knowing the truth, as a daughter of the Church, with a humble and teachable spirit. Imagine one who reads with a hostile spirit, with the intention of finding fault, denouncing or ridiculing? There's an even greater potential for misunderstanding.

Better than reading the Catechism, then, is reading the prayers of the Church.

Catholic theology is clearly expressed -- quite literally in laymen's terms -- in our prayers and rites.

Attend a celebration of baptism in a Catholic Church and listen to the prayers of the rite. Listen to the promises made, both to the child and to the church.

And listen especially for these instructions:

"Receive this white garment, which mayest thou carry without stain before the judgment seat of Our Lord Jesus Christ, that thou mayest have eternal life. Amen. ... Receive this burning light, and keep thy baptism so as to be without blame. Observe the commandments of God; that, when Our Lord shall come to His nuptials, thou mayest meet Him together with all the Saints and mayest have life everlasting, and live for ever and ever. Amen."