Youcat commented through CCC. Question n. 40 – Part III.

YOUCAT Question n. 40 - Part III. Can God do anything? Is he almighty?

(Youcat answer - repeated) “For God nothing is impossible” (see Lk 1:37). He is almighty.     

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 254) The divine persons are really distinct from one another. "God is one but not solitary" (Fides Damasi: DS 71). "Father", "Son", "Holy Spirit" are not simply names designating modalities of the divine being, for they are really distinct from one another: "He is not the Father who is the Son, nor is the Son he who is the Father, nor is the Holy Spirit he who is the Father or the Son" (Council of Toledo XI (675): DS 530:25). They are distinct from one another in their relations of origin: "It is the Father who generates, the Son who is begotten, and the Holy Spirit who proceeds" (Lateran Council IV (1215): DS 804). The divine Unity is Triune. (CCC 275) With Job, the just man, we confess: "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted" ( Job 42:2). (CCC 276) Faithful to the witness of Scripture, the Church often addresses her prayer to the "almighty and eternal God" (“omnipotens sempiterne Deus…"), believing firmly that "nothing will be impossible with God" (Gen 18:14; Lk 1:37; Mt 19:26). (CCC 277) God shows forth his almighty power by converting us from our sins and restoring us to his friendship by grace. "God, you show your almighty power above all in your mercy and forgiveness… " (Roman Missal, 26th Sunday, Opening Prayer).      

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) Anyone who calls on God in need believes that he is all-powerful. God created the world out of nothing. He is the Lord of history. He guides all things and can do everything. How he uses his omnipotence is of course a mystery.Not  infrequently people ask, Where was God then? Through the prophet Isaiah he tells us, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Is 55:8). Often God’s omnipotence is displayed in a situation where men no longer expect anything from it. The powerlessness of Good Friday was the prerequisite for the Resurrection.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 317) God alone created the universe, freely, directly and without any help. (CCC 278) If we do not believe that God's love is almighty, how can we believe that the Father could create us, the Son redeem us and the Holy Spirit sanctify us? (CCC 478) Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony and his Passion, and gave himself up for each one of us: "The Son of God. . . loved me and gave himself for me" (Cal 2:20). He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation (Cf.  Jn 19:34), "is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that. . . love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings" without exception (Pius XII, Enc. Haurietis aquas (1956): DS 3924; cf. DS 3812).       

(This question: Can God do anything? Is he almighty? is continued)