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I Believe [Apostle's Creed]
CatholicExchange. com ^
| 10-04-06
| Mickey Addison
Posted on 10/04/2006 4:54:42 PM PDT by Salvation
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I Believe
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10/04/06
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We begin each rosary with the words, "I believe," the first words of the Apostle's Creed. It is our "statement of faith," one that is more written on our hearts rather than in a book.
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To believe" is something more than "guess" and something slightly less than "know." In fact, the first dictionary definition of "believe" is to "have confidence." This, of course, describes our Catholic faith quite precisely. We have great confidence in our Lord and His Church, and we have a number of good reasons for this confidence.
We have confidence because we have been taught by someone with authority to teach. The Christian faith is not a "religion of the book," that is, not based strictly on the Sacred Scriptures. Surely the Bible informs and strengthens our faith because it is the Word of God, but our Lord didn't flip an armload of scrolls to His disciples and tell them to figure it out for themselves. St. Paul enjoins his priests to stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours (2 Thes 2:15). The Apostles were eyewitnesses to the inauguration of the Kingdom of God, and their successors had confidence in them. Because of the unbroken line of bishops succeeding the Apostles, we can maintain this confidence through their faith, thereby strengthening our own and opening our hearts to the working of the Spirit.
Our confidence is confirmed in the revelation of what we see around us. When I was stationed in Hawaii, I was mesmerized by the deep Pacific skies. I could sit for hours and stare out into space, marveling at the vastness of the cosmos yet completely aware that the same Creator Who willed this vast ocean of stars into being was not distant, but near. This nearness was underscored by the unpretentious complexity of the living things around me, and the decidedly un-complex love I shared with my family. Both the unimaginable yet obvious order to the universe, and the indescribable but delightful bond with my loved ones, speaks of a God both awesome and close.
It must be plain, even to the most hardened atheist, that there is something greater than what our mere senses detect. Even Carl Sagan, the famous cosmologist, couldn't reject God altogether; he acknowledged that there was "something" out there that numbers and theory couldn't quantify.
We can also have confidence in our own experience as humans who encounter the Living God in person. As Catholics, we have the tremendous privilege of approaching God in word and sacrament. Inviting Jesus into our hearts and accepting Him as Lord and Savior is powerful, but it pales in comparison to a physical encounter with our Risen Lord in the Eucharist. In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we can see Him, touch Him, speak to Him, and incorporate Him physically within us just as we open our hearts to invite Him in. Our worship is spirit and body, as is Christ. The confidence born of what we see and hear and taste open our hearts to the Breath of God, the Holy Spirit, Who in turn conforms us to Christ; it is Christ Who presents us to the Father.
None of this is possible without God reaching for us, for as St. Paul writes in his Epistle to the Philippians: I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." In the Catechism this search for God and His call to us is described as written on our hearts by our Creator: The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to Himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for. The dignity of man rests above all on the fact that he is called to communion with God. This invitation to converse with God is addressed to man as soon as he comes into being. For if man exists it is because God has created him through love, and through love continues to hold him in existence. He cannot live fully according to truth unless he freely acknowledges that love and entrusts himself to his Creator. (#27) With the reason He has given us, coupled with the very "God-shape" of our human hearts, God tends the garden of our faith. Through the Church, we have a teacher in whom we can have confidence. With our hearts and our hands we can accept Christ, literally taking Him inside our own bodies in the Eucharist. Our faith is a very gift from God and our hearts a vessel for His love.
It is through the assurance born of these remarkable graces that we can confidently proclaim, Credo, I believe.
© Copyright 2006 Catholic Exchange
Mickey Addison is a career military officer, and has been a catechist at the parish level since 2000. He and his wife have been married for 19 years and they have two children. He can be reached at addisoncrew@gmail.com.
This article was previously published on the Rosary Armys website and is used by permission. |
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KEYWORDS: apostles; catholic; catholiclist; creed; nicene
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To: Salvation
It's a wonderful source. I'm so glad it's available.
81
posted on
10/05/2006 8:22:56 AM PDT
by
trisham
(Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
To: trisham
Straight to the source! Execellent!
82
posted on
10/05/2006 8:28:37 AM PDT
by
LisaFab
To: Iscool
don't delude yourself into thinking there are no Christians outside the Catholic church...You come up with the oddest interpretations and conclusions about such simple and straightforward posts. I'd love for you some day to post HOW you get to a specfic conclusion - a "logic trail" if you will... It would help in understanding your thinking.
83
posted on
10/05/2006 8:32:31 AM PDT
by
technochick99
( Firearm of choice: Sig Sauer....)
To: Iscool
There are nearly as many divisions in the Catholic church and numerous divisions in any given diocese Wrong. The Catholic Church has 1 set of dogma, versus the many opposing doctrines within non-Catholic denominations brought about by relying solely on Scripture and personal interpretation.
To: Mad Dawg
Nope, not a diety at all. But it's time for my to pray my rosary. Fabulous post, Mad Dawg! I'm going to share this with my CCD class, if you don't mind.
85
posted on
10/05/2006 9:01:31 AM PDT
by
TonyInOhio
(Mark Foley acting like a Democrat won't make me vote like one.)
To: TonyInOhio
I'd be honored. As long as you tell them that I, personally, am a jerk, you can do what you want with it.
86
posted on
10/05/2006 9:46:22 AM PDT
by
Mad Dawg
(Now we are all Massoud)
To: Jaded
Thank you. I will now go hide my confusion under a rock.
87
posted on
10/05/2006 9:47:31 AM PDT
by
Mad Dawg
(Now we are all Massoud)
To: Zuriel
Yep, there is only one omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent God. For anyone else to be able to hear the prayers of thousands around the world at the same moment (omnipresent), know what they are asking for in dozens of languages (pretty much requires some omniscience), and have the ability to relay the constant flow of petitions faster than received (almost omnipotent?)....nevermind. Just one has those attributes. "pretty much" omniscience? That's like Rush being almost always right 98.5% of the time. Either you have all the knowledge that is or you don't. It's binary. Knowing a lot of languages, or even all of them doesn't come close to omniscience.
I guess I take the Bible seriously when John says that we shall be "like" God, and when Jesus quotes and construes Psalm 82. I think the destiny of saved mankind is greater than we can imagine, and the ability to hear all prayers addressed to one when one will have all the time in the world and then some to listen is not beyond belief.
Further, we know from Peter that the the Divine "experience" (for want of a better word) of time is not like ours. Not only are a thousand ages in His sight like an evening gone, but an evening is like a thousand years. So I would hesitate to pronounce authoritatively what it is like to be in ever-increasing union with God and how that would affect the ability to "process" time as we on earth experience it.
Our hope is a dazzlingly great one, and if we are vivified, as you, with Paul, say, by the Spirit of the Living God, as we become more and more "quickened" with THAT life, I think more and more is offered.
88
posted on
10/05/2006 9:59:11 AM PDT
by
Mad Dawg
(Now we are all Massoud)
To: Conservative til I die
Sorry--forgot to ping you.
To: Mad Dawg
Wow! Bump for an incredible post :)
90
posted on
10/05/2006 5:30:56 PM PDT
by
annie laurie
(All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost)
To: Jaysun; All
Here is the entirety of the Church's teaching on Mary, called the Four Marian Dogmas. Note nothing about deification.
Immaculate Conception - conceived without original sin.
Bible, Angel Gabriel, "Hail Mary full of Grace", and confirmed by revealed truth, and ultimately by Mary herself at Lourdes.
Virgin Birth - again, scriptural and verified by revealed truth.
Mother of God - that's a pretty darn good reason to hold her in very high esteem!
Assumption into Heaven - where she now resides as Queen of Heaven.
LITANY of LORETO
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Savior, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renouned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honor, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us O Lord
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
91
posted on
10/05/2006 8:37:19 PM PDT
by
baa39
(Quid hoc ad aeternitatem?)
To: baa39
El Bump-O
Beautiful Post.
92
posted on
10/05/2006 10:52:14 PM PDT
by
Global2010
(Tag line went fishing.)
To: bethelgrad
Thanks for posting the Creed in Latin. I don't know latin, but I know the creed. I'm inspired to memorize it in Latin! The electronic Virtual Rosary http://www.virtualrosary.org/ has electronic copies of the rosary including Latin prayers. When I joined the KofC, I vowed to carry the Rosary always. I carry a finger rosary on my keychain, and the Virtual Rosary on my Palm Lifedrive. That way, if you wish, you will always have a Latin version handy.
93
posted on
10/06/2006 1:26:32 PM PDT
by
MarkBsnr
(When you believe in nothing, then everything is acceptable.)
To: baa39
This NOT meant to offend, just trying to understand a subject (Catholocism) I admittedly know little about.
I have a hard time making the leap from the Immaculate Conception to the fact that Mary herself was born without sin. Otherwise, Romans 3:10 would have to add "except Mary" ("As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one") to it, which it clearly doesn't.
Likewise, I find it hard to show in Scripture where anyone, much less Mary, has ascended into Heaven. See Joh 3:13 "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven."
I think part of the reason non-Catholics have trouble understand Catholic doctrine is the overall point that Catholic teachings are "not based strictly on the Sacred Scriptures" as the author of the original post noted. When you add human elements to a divine book, human nature can too easily modify, change or distort the intended meaning. I feel this is as much an issue in virtually every Protestant religion as well. Everyone, well intentioned as they may be, is interested in giving their intepretation of what scripture says instead of allowing the scripture to interpret itself through other scriptures.
My 2 cents...
God bless.
94
posted on
10/06/2006 2:26:50 PM PDT
by
CantBeRightAllTheTime
(Only someone truly arrogant would believe that they have all the answers to every question)
To: Jaysun
What wonderful comments you sent my way via FreepMail. Perhaps I can share them with the others on this thread:
"Original message by Jaysun regarding I Believe [Apostle's Creed] received 2006-10-06 01:11:52
~~~~~~~~~
"Right. To hell with the Bible and all, right? It's just as absurd, from a Biblical standpoint, that you should pray to the dead. To accept things that aren't Biblical is to open yourself up to anything. Shutup. Leave me alone. I stand by the Bible. If that makes me a "radical" or anything else then I say to hell with you. You're commitment to anything but the Bible makes you the likely candidate as the whore of Babalon. Anyway, if you consider someone that believes in scripture an enemy so be it. In that case, f____ (censored) off."
Not only is the grammar bad, the points are off-base, too. Fine example of following Christ's teaching. Is this what's taught at Bubba's Church of the Almighty Dollar?
95
posted on
10/06/2006 9:06:02 PM PDT
by
AlaninSA
("Beware the fury of a patient man." - John Dryden)
To: CantBeRightAllTheTime
Um, Moses and Elijah. Don't they count?
Mary was hand picked to be the mother of God, what's so hard about understanding that. The best explanation I've heard about Immaculate Conception is.... Say you're walking through the forest and there is a deep hole. You fall into it. You have to wait for someone to help you out. Everytime you walk through the forest you fall in and always have to wait. Mary goes strolling through the forest and comes upon the hole. She is prevented from falling in the hole that she otherwise would have. (that's my best shot, I need more caffiene)
96
posted on
10/09/2006 1:42:53 PM PDT
by
Jaded
("I have a mustard- seed; and I am not afraid to use it."- Joseph Ratzinger)
To: Salvation; pinkpanther111; CurtisLeMay; theothercheek; kiriath_jearim; Gadfly-At-Large; ...
+
If you want on (or off) this Catholic and Pro-Life ping list, let me know!
97
posted on
01/04/2007 8:33:57 PM PST
by
narses
(St Thomas says "lex injusta non obligat.")
To: Jaysun
Because some Catholics are dangerously close, in my opinion, of worshiping her in place of Jesus Christ. I've seen it firsthand I doubt you can see what is in their hearts.
To: CantBeRightAllTheTime
99
posted on
01/04/2007 9:00:14 PM PST
by
narses
(St Thomas says "lex injusta non obligat.")
To: Salvation
I pray that Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholics come together. We need to.
100
posted on
01/05/2007 5:40:14 AM PST
by
SQUID
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