Who do you believe in?

In Father Vince's homily this week he asked us who do we believe in?  He asked us if we believe in our children, the Colts, or Notre Dame to get us thinking.  Sunday’s Gospel from the 24th week in Ordinary time was about Peter’s profession of Jesus as Christ, the Messiah that Israel has been waiting for.  He made the point of Peter getting it right, and then also struggling with his faith. 

As Catholic’s on Sunday we recite what we believe in: the Nicene Creed.  This creed came out of the council of Nicea due to a crisis of faith.  There was a struggle between factions in the early church of whether Jesus was just a human being or divine.  The Creed we recite settled on what we believe as Catholics.   This is something we recite every week.  Sometimes we say the words and don’t think about what they really mean.  

In October we will start the Year of Faith proclaimed by Pope Benedict.   During this year we will be learning about our faith and what we believe in as Catholics.  Father Vince spent some time going over the Nicene Creed and what it means.  A few highlights from his teaching were:

-       We believe in one God who made the world, both the physical world we know and live in and also the spiritual world.

-       Jesus has always existed with the Father from the very beginning.

-       Consubstantial was defined as being of the same substance. Analogy was used in reference Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as being consubstantial but each manifested differently by comparing H2O manifested as gas (steam), solid (ice), and liquid (water).

-       God chose that Jesus enter humanity through our Blessed Mother and we bow reverently when this is recalled.

-       Pontius Pilate, Governor of Judea, during the time of Jesus, and is a historical reference.

-       Jesus was here physically on Earth 2000 years ago as documented historically, was killed, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and will come again to judge each of us.

-       The Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. One church handed on by Jesus.  The Church is holy as is sanctified by Jesus.  It is catholic, meaning universal, which is for everyone.  Finally it is apostolic, led by successors to the apostles, the bishops who were ordained by laying on of hands going back to the apostles.

-       One baptism: The Church accepts Trinitarian baptism by other Christian communities & churches.  Baptism is not to a particular church, but to relationship with Christ.

-       We believe in a life after this one were we will meet God face to face.

This was an excellent summary of the key tenants of our faith and a great way to get started in the Year of Faith!  This will really help as we recite the Nicene Creed and give a deeper understanding for all of us as we weekly recall our faith.

If you would like to dig in a little deeper check out the Catechism of the Catholic Church.