Whenever I hear the words ‘Small Catechism’ the first thing that comes to my mind is confirmation class. This is where I was first exposed to this little book that Martin Luther wrote many, many years ago to help parents teach their children the basics of the faith (from Luther’s perspective). This little book forms the basis for a lot of the content within a confirmation class—learning what Luther said about the Commandments, Lord’s Prayer, Creed, Baptism, and Holy Communion. And for many people the confirmation instruction consisted of memorizing Luther’s explanations—this practice has fallen by the wayside in most congregations over the years.

I have been thinking about the Small Catechism since I wrote reflections upon the different part of the Catechism for the Lenten Devotional book. However, I wonder if most of us dealt with the Small Catechism during our confirmation years and now that confirmation is finished, we do not think about or read the Small Catechism at all.

For many people confirmation tends to resemble more of a graduation than an affirmation of baptism. Youth tend to think of confirmation as this time period that they must suffer through and then when they are finished— they graduate and are done. This is a false understanding of confirmation. Confirmation is not a graduation, but rather a time of recommitment. Within the hymnal, the Rite of Confirmation is actually called an ‘affirmation of baptism.’ Thus, confirmation is to be an extension of the baptismal promises that were made either by us (if we were baptized at an older age) or our parents (if we were baptized as an infant). It is not meant to be a culmination of a time of learning, but rather to provide a basis of understanding upon which people can build upon greater learning in years to come. This is also true within our own educational system in our schools. High School is not meant to be the end of learning—but rather build a base of learning for people to go on to college or jobs where they will utilize this learning to be successful and grow.

The Small Catechism is supposed to be seen in the same way. Luther wrote this little book not to be read once and then put upon a bookshelf to collect dust. Rather this book was meant to be a primer and reference book. One that people go back to again and again to refresh oneself about the teachings as well as a book that contains some depth that when one goes back to reread—new meanings may emerge as the reader is older and has different experiences which may impact how the teachings of the Small Catechism speak to the reader. This is similar to the way that we view the Bible for most of us would not say that the Bible is a book to be read once and then finished with—but rather a Holy Book that speaks to us anew each time that we read it and meditate upon the words and messages contained within the Bible.

The Small Catechism can be one tool that helps us to stay centered in the teachings of the faith. I encourage everyone to pick up the Small Catechism (or look it up online for there are many translations of the Catechism on the web) to read through it again and reflect upon how it helps us to live out our faith.

- Pastor Steve