Posts Tagged With: Faith

Miracle Window?

Posted on December 21, 2011 by DN

So there I am, standing in line for confession at St. Stephen’s parish in the daily Mass chapel. In front of me is the altar and hanging on the wall behind the altar is a very…um…fine piece of…art. It’s a very large ceramic circle hanging from a thick chain from the ceiling. The circle has a golden border with marking that look like large “stitches” around the edge. The background is very dark, reddish even, with a thick gold cross shape with the same markings as the border of the circle. In front of this circle is a 3-D image of Jesus sitting on a throne making the sign of peace with one hand and holding a book, presumably the Gospel, in the other. What it conveys is beautiful, how it was executed is…well…they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder…am-i-right?

Anyways, I was looking at this image and reflecting on all of my sins. To my right are some glass windows into the main Church. The blinds are all drawn closed, excepting the narrow windows along the top. That’s when I see an image I have seen before through the glass.

“Hmmmm, I think to myself.” Imagining that what I am seeing is something from the main Church. “What a strange location to hang that image, randomly above the pews in the Church…how…Vatican II.” I realize though, that I’ve never seen this particular image of Christ hanging in the Church, it must, then, be a reflection of something else. I look around, and the only thing that I see is the previously mentioned image of Christ behind the altar. “It must be the image of Christ reflecting in the glass and playing tricks on me, looking as if it were the upper portion of Christ’s face.” But as I look, everything is all wrong. There is nothing in the image that could possibly look like eyes. And the background colors are all wrong. Nothing in the altar image is the some color as the flesh in the reflection in the glass. I look carefully at the glass, expecting the image to disappear, but it stays and I continue to compare the reflection and the image, convinced that one is not making the other.

When I was done, I checked to see if the image in the reflection was coming from somewhere else in the chapel. Alas, such an image was not found, nor was anything like it found in the main church when I investigated.

I don’t claim that this was a miracle. I don’t know why I saw what I saw. If it was a miracle, so be it, if it wasn’t my faith won’t be shaken. Nevertheless, the image I saw was an important reminder to me of many things this Christmas season:

Mainly, that the eyes shown in this image illustrate Christ’s dual nature, that he is God and Man, not either/or, but both/and. This is what the incarnation is, that God took flesh from the Virgin Mary and made himself man. This is what the Christmas celebration really is about.

Secondly, it reminded me in the midst of doubts that the Sacrament of Confession is real. That, yes, there is a human aspect to it, in which I confess my sins to a man, but that there is also a divine aspect to it in which God is present and his mercy is fully given to each of us through the priest’s absolution.

Lastly, that each of us who are baptized already share in the divine life through the Eucharist and through our prayers. That each of us are a little mirror of God, that though we are mere men we are able to and supposed to show God to the world through who we are.

What very beautiful and wonderful lessons God taught me through the reflection of an…inspiration piece of art…in the window of a church.

FELIX DIES NATIVITATIS

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Faith vs. Works

Posted on June 19, 2011 by DN

Here’s something that someone else wrote on faith and works within salvation:

We are not asking about what some religious leader teaches. We are not asking at this point what the creeds or manuals of men state. We want to know what the God of heaven has to say about this. When we ask this question about being “saved,” we mean salvation from sin or the washing away of past sins. We know that Jesus came to save people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Does the Bible teach that a person obtains such salvation by faith? In order to help us understand the Bible’s teaching about faith and its connection with the salvation of the soul, we will present and answer four questions.

(1) Is faith a condition of salvation? The Bible says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). From this passage we learn that a person cannot please God without faith. Then, it teaches two things about what one must believe: (1) That God exists, and (2) that He rewards those that seek Him. What about faith in Jesus? Jesus said, “He that believeth on him [Jesus, rdc] is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). So, faith in Jesus as the Christ or Son of God is also required in order to please the Lord. Yes, faith is a condition of salvation. Let it be clear to all that the Bible does not teach that every person who has faith is blessed, regardless of what that faith might be. No, the Bible’s message is that one’s belief must be in the existence of God (Hebrews 11:6), in Jesus as His Son (John 3:18), and in the word of God or gospel (Mark 16:15,16).

Let us look further. Are there biblical statements that point to the idea of salvation being by faith? Consider some facts. “. . . whosoever believeth in him [Jesus, rdc] should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “. . . through his [Jesus’, rdc] name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God thorough our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

When you put the above-quoted facts together, what do you have? They plainly declare that one receives eternal life by faith, receives remission of sins by faith, is saved by faith, and is justified by faith. These are basically four different ways of saying the same thing. Individually and collectively, these verses say “Yes” to the question, “Does the Bible teach that a person is saved by faith?” Friends, do not argue against the doctrine of salvation by faith. The Bible clearly teaches it.

(2) What about faith without works? The Bible doctrine of salvation by faith is not an “I’ve-got-God-in-my-heart-and-that-is-all-that-matters” type of faith. Once four men carried a sick man on a bed to Jesus in order that the Master might heal Him. The Bible says that Jesus “saw their faith” (Mark 2:5). What does that mean? Simply that He saw their faith in action. What if a person possesses faith but no action to go with it? From James 2 we learn that faith without works:

Does not profit (2:14,16);

Cannot save (2:14);

Is dead or lifeless (2:17,20,26);

Is alone (2:17);

Is no better than demons’ faith (2:19);

Is not perfect or complete (2:22);

Will not justify a person (2:24).

Obviously, in God’s sight, faith without works “will not get the job done.” In the context of James 2, the “works” that join with faith to present a person complete before the Lord are not man’s self-appointed works or works of merit, but rather works of obedience.

(3) What are some consequences of the teaching that one is saved by “faith only” or “faith alone?” Read carefully the next two sentences. One: “A person can only be saved by faith/believing.” Two: “A person is saved by faith only.” The ideas expressed in these two statements are not the same – they are very different. Statement one points out the truth that faith is a condition of being saved. The second one claims that one is saved by “faith only,” that is, faith is the one and only condition of salvation. This second idea is false! Why? Because it contradicts the Bible.

Remember, any teaching that implies a false doctrine, is itself false. All that means is this: if the consequences of a doctrine are false, then the doctrine itself is false (and thus, must be rejected). In our study, the application is this: if any of the consequences of the “salvation by faith only” teaching are false, then the doctrine of “salvation by faith only” must be false.

“Only” means exclusively or solely, so to state that salvation is by “faith only” means that one is saved 100% by faith, meaning that salvation is by faith and nothing else! If the doctrine of salvation by “faith only” were true, since “only” excludes everything else, then salvation would not be “by grace.” But, the Bible teaches salvation by grace (Ephesians 2:8), so the doctrine of “faith only” salvation is false.

If the doctrine of salvation by “faith only” were true, since “only” excludes everything else, then repentance would not be required. But, the Bible teaches that repentance is, indeed, a condition of salvation (Acts 3:19; 11:18). Thus, the doctrine of “faith only” salvation is false.

If the doctrine of salvation by “faith only” were true, then every person that possesses faith would be a saved person. How could that be true in view of John 12:42,43? There it is written, “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him [Jesus, rdc]; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” Did many chief rulers believe on the Christ? The Bible says they did. Yet, according to the Bible, they would not confess Him. What did Jesus say about a person that will not confess Him? “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8,9). Thus, one that does not confess the Christ, even if such a one believes on Him, cannot please the Lord. The record of John 12:42,43 speaks of those that believed, but were not saved because they would not confess the Lord. Again we see that the “faith only” doctrine is false.

Most denominational groups accept the “faith only” doctrine. One creed book states, “We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort” [Constitution and Discipline of the Methodist Protestant Church, 1936 Revision, "Articles of Religion," p. 37]. If the “faith only” doctrine contradicts the Bible, as we have clearly shown that it does, then how in the world can it be a doctrine that is “very full of comfort?!” Know this: such comfort is not of God, but is of the devil.

A number of denominational preachers have affirmed in public debates their acceptance of “faith only” salvation. For instance, in the Elkins-Ross Debate, Mr. Bob Ross of the Baptist denomination affirmed this proposition: “The scriptures teach that salvation comes at the point of faith alone before and without any further acts of obedience” [Elkins-Ross Debate, p. 166]. He attempted to prove an unprovable doctrine!

(4) What kind of faith pleases the Lord? The Bible teaches that one is justified “by faith” (Romans 5:1), but “not by faith only” (James 2:24). Hebrews 11 presents from the Old Testament case after case of individuals that pleased Jehovah “by faith.” When one carefully reads that great chapter, he sees that the faith of Abel was an obedient faith, as was the faith of Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and all others that are noted. James 2:21 declares that Abraham was “justified by works,” yet Hebrews 11:8,17 describes him as one that acted “by faith.” Which is correct, to say that Abraham was in good standing with the Lord “by works” or “by faith?” Both answers are correct, because that is what the Bible says. The “works” of James 2 were works of obedience – Abraham acted on his faith by doing what the Lord told him to do. And, the “faith” of Hebrews 11 was a living, active faith.

Galatians 5:6 says, “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” What is it that avails or causes a person to please the Lord? According to this verse, it is a person’s faith. What kind of faith? Faith that works. What is the proper motive for such faith taking action? Love.

Jesus is the author of salvation (Hebrews 5:9). What kind of salvation? Eternal salvation. For whom is He the author of such salvation? The text says for all those that “obey” Him. Since one must obey the Christ in order to be saved, and since one is saved by faith, then the faith that pleases God must be an obedient one. Does the Bible teach that a person is saved by faith? Yes, by faith that is obedient, acting according to the will of God which is revealed in the Bible.

– Roger D. Campbell

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Heart, Not Head

Posted on May 22, 2011 by DN

Yesterday evening I served the anticipatory Mass, like I usually do. Our parish priest is gone, so one of the monsignors from the seminary came to say Mass. The Gospel reading for the Fifth Sunday of Easter chronicles when Jesus taught that he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that he will be going on to prepare a dwelling place for us.

The monsignor’s homily was really great. He spoke to us about God’s true dwelling place, which is our hearts. We are the temples of the Holy Spirit. It is within us that God lives. When Jesus ascended to heaven, his promise to prepare a dwelling place is fulfilled as he prepares our hearts to be a fitting dwelling place for the Spirit of God. In order for that to happen, we have to do more than know about God, but we must actually know God. Knowledge of God goes much deeper than doctrine and dogma. It goes deep into a place that is inexpressible using words. It is a communion with Jesus, soul to soul.

It is not our head knowledge or wisdom that will save us, but it is the truth behind them that will. It is not the words that describe transubstantiation that allows us to know God, but it is the reality of the mystery the words describe that allows us to know God. It is not the term “Trinity” that will allow us to know the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but it is a relationship with that Trinity that allows us to know the three Divine Persons.

Head knowledge is good, and it is absolutely necessary, but it must be moved to our hearts to do us any good, to make us really one with Jesus. The truth must live in our hearts for us to live in the the truth.

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Never Fall

Posted on November 22, 2010 by DN

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature. For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:3-11

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“Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?”

Posted on August 24, 2010 by DN

I’ve been mulling over the idea of sola fide for the last 36 hours or so and have been having a difficult time finding an authentic Catholic response, though I know there is one. Having previously been a firm sola-fide-ist, and now being a firm anti-sola-fide-ist, I knew there had to have been a logical and concrete answer to have swayed my opinion so sharply. I just forgot what it was. I’ve been pouring over St. Paul and St. James, trying to come to a clear and concise Scriptural defense against faith alone. All I had was James 2, and I knew I would need more than that.

Then it dawned on me: why not go to Jesus? What does Jesus have to say about justification, about eternal life? So I looked to the rich young man and I asked the same question:

“Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?”

-Matthew 19:16

Clearly Martin Luther missed this passage because Jesus doesn’t say, “nothing, just have faith.” Jesus says:

“If you would enter life, keep the commandments…you shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

-Matthew 19: 17, 18-19

Wait, so, what? I don’t have to just believe in my heart that Jesus is Lord and confess on my lips that Jesus is the Christ? I actually have to obey the commands? Yes. That is what Christ says. He elaborated this before during the Sermon on the Mount:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven.”

-Matthew 5:17-19

I do not claim to know what all Jesus wants to accomplish, but I do know that heaven and earth have not passed away yet, so the law has not either. This law is still in effect. The commands are still commands not suggestions. If we truly are saved by faith, like the Protestant says, what is the point of the Bible anyways? Why give a rip about what Jesus has to say, what he teaches? Aren’t they more like suggestions anyways? And Paul? Don’t give a hoot when he talks about marriage, living righteously, having a unified faith, its all just a nice thought, but not necessary.

Many would like to say that the Catholic Church makes salvation too hard. That we take away from the merits of Christ by teaching salvation by grace by faith through works. But I hate to break it to you, salvation is not supposed to be easy, Jesus says so himself:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

-Matthew 7:13-14

The way to salvation is hard. It requires endurance, purity, faithfulness, obedience. It requires us to love and serve God, not ourselves. We fool ourselves if we think that simply having faith will do us any good, for even the devil and the demons have faith in God, for that is why they carry out their ministry of temptation, they know what God can do for us. Their faith cannot save them for it does not manifest itself in works of charity.

Our faith is in vain if we do not perform works of love. We will suffer the consequences for disobedience. And if our works of love are not done out of faith in Christ, they are nothing more than nice deeds. We will burn for our rejection of Christ, our lack of faith, despite our good works. I won’t quote St. James here, but we all know what he says. We cannot choose faith or works, while rejecting the other. Both are made possible only through the graces provided by Jesus Christ crucified. We must choose both together if we want to spend our eternity with Jesus Christ.

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What’s New With Me

Posted on May 7, 2010 by DN

1. I could really use your prayers as far as vocational discernment goes. I met with Fr. Wilhelm for spiritual direction this week. Let’s just say that we both heard things we didn’t like. So please pray for me.

2. School is almost over. Hallelujah.

3. Today was my last day of discipleship. Jimmy and I went to Holy Cross Cemetery to pray at Bishop Sullivan’s grave. I have not been to a cemetery in a few years. The last time was either visiting my grandparents’ graves in the St. Paul, or visiting some really old family graves in Carrington. I definitely have not been to a cemetery since becoming Catholic. It’s a lot different. It’s just a great reminder that a) death is ever-present in our world, and we WILL die and should be prepared, and b) we need to be praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

4. Some interesting theological questions came up today in conversation. Here is the gist: Point: people outside of the Church can be saved if through no fault of their own, they have never heard the Gospel message. Counterpoint: if people in this “blissful ignorance” have salvation, and God’s desire is for all men to be saved, would it not have been more efficient to not send Christ to earth? The questions that then arise are: could Christ have taken on flesh and have made his sacrifice in secret at some location, whether on earth or elsewhere? Would such a sacrifice be able to make atonement for our sins? Is Christ’s sacrifice as it happened, meritorious only because we know it happened? Also, if people do not hear the Gospel, they cannot reject it, and therefore they can be saved, are not missionaries, actually making it worse, bringing condemnation as people reject it? Should we halt missions? Is the argument that you can be saved merely by not having heard the Gospel too simple?

I’ll give my own opinions later, I am just curious what YOU think, so please comment!

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Debbie

Posted on April 14, 2010 by DN

I’ve totally been a Debbie Downer lately. Combining the increase of shenanigans by my residents, with the relentless pressure I feel to become a priest, with the character flaws I can’t seem to shake, with the extreme unknown that is my future, I have been more than stressed. And I’d be a liar if I said my faith wasn’t struggling…a lot. It’s not that I’m feeling like I’m losing my faith, but just that its going through a bit of a rough patch. On my end I feel as if God is putting in the bare minimum that he can without completely abandoning me. I feel like he’s just being quiet, not doing much, just kind of letting me float along, no input, no guidance. And that SUCKS. On the other hand, I am definitely doing the same thing, giving God the absolute minimum. So it only makes sense that God might be showing me what happens when the minimum goes into our relationship. All of this has been putting me in quite a bad mood. I have been crabby, snappy, disagreeable, and generally gloomy.

I’ve been trying to bring others down to my level, but will that bring me more light? Cannot I not be happy that the sun is shining on the mountains even when its dark in this valley? It is more honorable to show joy even when I do not feel. I need to not let my own sufferings bring others into suffering too.

So no more Debbie Downer from me.

Christ is risen! Alleluia!

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One Year

Posted on April 3, 2010 by DN

One year ago I stood in front of many people, and in front of even more saints and angels, and in front of our infinite, Triune God, who sent his loving Son to redeem me and all the world from the sins that we have committed. And as I stood there, the waters of Baptism flowed over me. My sins were remitted before God, as the mercy of Christ on the Cross was applied to my bank account, an account in serious debt. And though I heard no voices, I know beyond a doubt, that in the heavens, the deep, golden voice of God bellowed, “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased.” And the blood of Christ which is continually offered to God the Father on my behalf was first poured into my soul. And on that day, the sacred chrism oils were used to anoint my forehead. The balmy smell of that precious oil reminded me of the sweet breath of the Holy Spirit which I was receiving at that very moment. And suddenly all things in my life changed. I was no longer lost, but was truly found. A journey that had begun two years before was coming to a conclusion of sorts, but really, it was only the prologue, for the journey has only really begun.

And tonight I will sit in St. Mary’s Cathedral and I will renew the promises that I made that day as I witness the faithfulness of more of God’s children as they receive the Sacraments of Initiation as they follow Christ into all truth. I will witness the most beautiful moments in these people’s lives and I will recall the same instant in my life, when I was surrounded with some of the most important people in my life, who truly care about me, who took the time to invest patient prayer and intercession in me so that I would come to know the fullness of God’s plan for me.

So here’s to the best year of my life so far. I say this because at the end of the day with God, each day is better than the last, no matter what kind of temporal things have happened. I know that tomorrow will be better than today and that next Easter I will look back and say that my second year as a Catholic was even better.

So let us revel in the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the God-Man, who died for our sins, and is ready to embrace us and bring us into his fold; who is waiting in Heaven, preparing for us a place without tears and pain, where we will be one hundred percent free from the bonds of sin and the temptations of this world; who will bring us eternal joy and peace and communion with God. Amen!

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The Young Man’s Guide

Posted on March 23, 2010 by DN

Right before spring break, I was at Holy Family Bookstore and after much walking around I was ready to give up finding anything, but at last glance I saw this little black book tucked in between breviaries, and some books about novenas and devotions. The book was called The Young Man’s Guide. I picked it up and it was by a priest named Rev. F.X. Lasance. I don’t know why, but I wanted it. So I threw in a few prayer cards for the souls in Purgatory and for priests, and purchased all these things. Over the last week or so I’ve been slowly reading through the book and its been pretty convicting of my soul. Over the past year I’ve had Catholic after Catholic tell me that I’m awesome, that I’m blessed. They applaud me for reading the entire catechism. They are in awe at my conversion story. I soak it up. I love that stuff. I think to myself, “I am a great Catholic.”

But this book, written in 1910, by some priest in Cincinnati, has really shown me that I’m not even close. I am probably further from holiness than any Catholic I know. And I definitely have a strong devotion to the Sacraments, but not as strong as it could or should be. I discovered even greater is that I have no true fear of hell. You know how I know? My reaction to this passage:

But the greatest torments of hell affect not so much the bodies as the souls of the damned. Think for a moment what pain homesickness inflicts upon the soul of him who endures it, and then consider the lot of him who is condemned to hell. The reprobate will know and feel what he has lost by his sins. The pain of loss is immeasurable great. Never shall he enjoy the beatific vision of God; never shall he enter heaven, the home of the saints, the place of everlasting happiness and joy. What horror, what torment, what despair, will seize upon the souls of the damned!

But what more especially makes hell to be hell is its everlasting duration, the utter despair of the damned, since they know that their torments can have no end.

Rev. F.X. Lasance, The Young Man’s Guide, 121

My fearlessness of hell is a leftover mark from my Protestant days, from the lie that I was fed that once I am saved, I am always saved. Intellectually I disagreed even then, but especially have since I entered the Church. But in my heart of hearts, it is a philosophy that I have embraced, and that Satan has used against me. I can sin and sin and sin and I can go to Confession over and over and over and I am all good. But really, am I sorry for my sins? Do I have any kind of comprehension of what the due penalty for my sin is? When I read this passage, that last little bit hit me so hard: hell is of everlasting duration. Wow! I had to stop reading to compose myself. Eternity is something I can barely comprehend, even when it is considered in the event that it is spent with God. The idea that something can have no end, that there will always be a tomorrow, is unbelievable to me. But nobody wants to think about it in terms of everlasting hell. I imagined myself being tortured through the pain of homesickness. My heart and soul painfully yearning for something that it desperately needs, something it was close to having, that something being God. But my heart and soul would never ever have it. And as the sun set in hell (in my imagination), I knew that I would get a poor night’s sleep thinking about God. And I knew I would wake up the next morning with the same dull void. And I knew that there was no end.

I tried to think of how terrible it would feel. I tried thinking of some experience I had felt in real life that could have been a foretaste of that feeling. Kristi? Anna? Hardly! Take those disappointments, heartaches, and increase them a thousandfold and the feeling would not come close to doing justice to the pains of hell.

Yesterday, I finally gained a true fear of hell, and finally recognized that yes, my actions still do count. My salvation by Christ is not a free pass to do whatever. My mind and my heart came to be aligned. I’ve believed for awhile that salvation comes through grace working through faith and deed. Now my heart knows this to be true. My love and desire for Christ spurs me on to run away from hell and the things that will lead me there because I cannot bear the lovesick feelings that hell would force upon me as I become eternally separated from the true love of my soul, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Fr. Lasance, I ask your prayers, as I know that if you took your own advice, you are certainly sitting in the graces of our King and Redeemer right now. Pray that I might receive, that we all might receive, the graces necessary to draw near to Christ. Through your intercession, foster a love in us for Jesus Christ in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Penance. Continue to inspire through your writings, that we might be made holy and worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pax Christi

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Catechism 1.2: The Creeds

Posted on March 21, 2010 by DN

Our communion of faith needs a common language of faith, a common confession for all (CCC 185). Since the beginning of the Church, the confession has been passed on in brief formulas from generation to generation. These have commonly been called Creeds, from the Latin word, Credo, which means “I believe”, typically the first word in such statements. These symbolon or symbols of faith become a sign of recognition and unity between believers.

The first creed that a believer makes is the Baptismal creed. Since Baptism is made in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, the two important creeds out of many (including the Athanasian, council professions at Lateran, Lyons, Toledo and Trent) are made in three parts, each addressing one of the Divine persons that make our indivisible God. The two that hold a special place in the Church are the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed. The Catechism outlines, in depth, the twelve articles of the Apostle’s Creed, and so that is is what the next many Catechetical posts will be covering.

The Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Amen.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

As we learn more deeply about the Apostle’s Creed and its implications, the Catechism will make reference to the Nicene Creed, which as one might be able to tell is much more in depth, at times, than the Apostle’s Creed. And remember that when we say the Creed with faith, we enter into a type of communion with God and into the Holy Church (CCC 197) for:

This Creed is the spiritual seal, our heart’s meditation and an ever-present guardian; it is, unquestionably, the treasure of our soul.

-St. Ambrose

Pax Christi

Categories: Catechism | Tags: , , , , , , , ,

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