My dear Parishioners,
Peace! The first article of the Apostle’s Creed is: I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of Heaven and Earth. There are forty “in brief” statements in The Catechism of the Catholic Church which treat this article of our saving faith. What follows is a reflection on article 384.
When the Catechism tells us that ‘revelation makes’ things ‘known to us’ it is important to known just what ‘revelation’ is. Sacred Scripture is divine revelation revelation, and this belief we share in common with non-Catholic Christians and pious Jewish people. Catholics further believe that God’s revelation is not limited to Sacred Scripture (the Holy Bible) but also includes Sacred Tradition (see the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation of the Second Vatican Council, Dei Verbum, 9). These are both further known as ‘special revelation’ because of the instramentality of the Prophets and other inspired human authors of the sacred texts and apostolic succession by which tradition is transmitted. That which may be known without the grace of supernatural faith or revelation is sometimes refered to as ‘natural revelation’ (cf. Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:19-20). That we enjoyed a state of ‘orininal holiness and justice’ in the beginning is part of divine revelation.
God created us well, seeing all that He created, God said it is good (cf. Genesis 1:31). This is when we were entirely in the divine image, before the Fall or Original Sin. Our relationships with God, others and ourselves were rightly ordered, each receiving their due. This situation, however was ruptured. Through sin death entred the world (cf. Romans 5:12).
In this original state our friendship with God was sure. Now, after the Fall, Original Sin, our friendship is ruptured. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is that which restores our friendship with God, with others and with ourselves. To say that someone is a ‘friend of God’ is to say that they are a saint, a holy person. This is the call we have each received in Holy Baptism of which the Lord reminds us when He says: ‘You are My friends if you keep My Commandments’ (John 15:14).
While we can never return to the Garden of Eden there is an ‘existence in Paradise’ open to us, namely Heaven. Thanks to Christ Jesus who prayed in another garden (Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1) and who was ‘obedient unto death’ (Philippians 2:8) not only has our friendship with God been restored and holiness given us, but justice and mercy, truth and peace have all met on Calvery (Psalm 85:10). All this, and more, part of our suepernaturally, divinely revealed faith which we are proud to confess. Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ who restores the divine image in us by His grace in us, given to us through His bride, Mother Church.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr