I believe in God
90% of people believe in God
I believe In God
Less than half of people (48%) see God’s hand at work in all or most things that happen to them.1
The Apostles Creed summarizes the key points of what we believe. It has been in the past attributed to the twelve apostles but there is no historical or textual evidence that they composed the creed. There are actually twelve articles to the creed. An abbreviated version of the Creed can be traced back to the second century. It is the ancient baptismal symbol of the Church of Rome. Its great authority arises from this fact: it is ‘the Creed of the Roman Church, the See of Peter, the first of the apostles, to which he brought the common faith. ‘
The normal routine is to use the Nicene Creed in Mass during most of the year and the Apostles’ Creed during Lent and Easter time. The reason for this is that the Apostles’ Creed is more associated with baptism. During Lent and Easter time, the elect are preparing for baptism, and many will be baptized at the Easter Vigil. The catechism of the Catholic Church calls the Apostles Creed “the oldest Roman catechism”.
The Apostles’ Creed is a statement of Christian belief widely used in both Catholic and Protestant churches. While it is a core part of Catholic tradition, it is also embraced by many Protestant denominations, making it an ecumenical creed.
‘This Creed is the spiritual seal, our heart’s meditation and an ever-present guardian; it is, unquestionably, the treasure of our soul. ‘- Saint Ambrose.
Here is a look at the Apostle’s Creed with a expansion on the right side of a view of how the articles relate to our ultimate goal, or mission, which is holiness, becoming more like Christ, culminating in sainthood and union with God in Heaven.
I believe in God, The Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth.
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come 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 life everlasting.
Amen.
You give life to all things and make them holy – Eucharistic Prayer at Mass
I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”. – Jn 17:26
By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity – Preparation of the Gifts at Mass
But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. – 1Jn 1:7
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” – Mt 28:18-20
“Come, Holy Spirit. Spirit of truth, you are the reward of the saints, the comforter of souls, light in the darkness, riches to the poor, treasure to lovers, food for the hungry, comfort to those who are wandering; to sum up, you are the one in whom all treasures are contained.
Come! As you descended upon Mary that the Word might become flesh, work in us through grace as you worked in her through nature and grace.
Come! Food of every chaste thought, fountain of all mercy, sum of all purity.
Come! Consume in us whatever prevents us from being consumed in you.” —St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi
The apostles in the upper room
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. Acts 2:1
‘Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
When blackness was a virtue the road was full of mud
I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
Come in, she said
I’ll give ya shelter from the storm – Bob Dylan
We as a church community are called to give our fellow disciples shelter from the storm.
The Holy Spirit descends
And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. Acts 2:2-3
The church does much more than give shelter. It provides the sacraments to receive the grace of God, the Word of God to instruct and guide, dedicated clergy to lead us and community to inspire and uplift.
You raise me up so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be – Brendan Graham
Go you are sent.
And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. – Acts 2:4
They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. – Acts 2:42-47
The shelter we seek from the storm transforms us to calm the storms as Jesus did. Sent out into the world to bring to others that which we have received.
If we live like many being kind to their friends and unkind to those they do not like then no amount of fine reason will ever convince others to join us in our journey to Christ.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they’ll know we are Christians by our love – Peter Scholtes
You renew the Church in every age by raising up men and women outstanding in holiness, living witnesses of Your unchanging love. They inspire us by their heroic lives, and help us by their constant prayers to be the living sign of Your saving power.- Mass Preface Of
Holy Men And Women II
Bless me Father for I have sinned…
“There is nothing that man needs more than Divine Mercy – that love which is benevolent, which is compassionate, which raises man above his weakness to the infinite heights of the holiness of God.” – John Paul II
Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed* we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. – Jn 3:2
“What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him,” – 1 Cor 2:9
I believe!
The creed is our profession of faith. Here is an acronym of the word Faith.
Family of God – belief that we are the sons and daughters of God
Acceptance of God’s Will – We are where God wants us to be
Integrity in every moment at every place – Live for a purpose (holiness)
Trust in God – God will give us what we need – our daily bread.
Humility – virtue by which one understands one is totally dependent on God
Faith is a gift from God. May we ask God to strengthen our faith, may we work to nurture our faith and may we thank God for His gift of faith.
January 9th was National Faith Day.
1 pewresearch.org – key-findings-about-americans-belief-in-god/