Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! The third article of the Apostle’s Creed is “Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary” There are nineteen (19) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding this article of the Creed. The following is a reflection on article 561.
When we consider just who the Lord Jesus is we must keep in mind his entire life, not just His infancy or hidden life or adolescence or public ministry or saving Passion and glorious Resurrection. When we know something of these then we know something about our Lord. Even then, it is one thing for us to know ‘about’ Jesus and another thing for us to know Him.
The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded us to teach everyone all that He commanded (cf. Matthew 28:19-20) yet the whole world could not contain all that He said and did (cf. John 21:25).
When Jesus held His tongue and said nothing He was teaching us the importance of silence and how much sinning cannot be avoided in a flood of words (Isaiah 53:7; Acts 8:32; Proverbs 6:2; 7:21; 10:19).
When the Lord Jesus worked His man miracles He was teaching us about His divinity (cf. Mark 7:33-37; John 9:1- 14).
When the Lord Jesus would wash the feet of His disciples (cf. John 13:5-12) or touch someone who was sick in order to cure them (cf. Matthew 9:29; 20:34; Mark 7:33-34; 8:25; John 9:6) even in lifting up His eyes (cf. Luke 6:20; John 6:5; 17:1) or taking bread and wine (cf. Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 24:30). He was teaching us about His humanity, flesh and blood like us in all things but sin (cf. Hebrews 4:15).
When the Lord Jesus prayed He was teaching us (cf. Matthew 26:42, 44; Mark 1:35; 14:35, 39; Luke 5:16; 9:29; 22:32, 41, 43; John 17:1-26).
By laying down His life on the altar of the Cross for the salvation of the human race the Lord Jesus taught us love for all (John 10:15, 17; 13:34-35; 15:12. 17).
The saving death of the Lord Jesus on Calvary’s height is the cost of our salvation and redemption (cf. 2 Timothy 2:10; Hebrews 2:10; 5:9; 9:28; 2 Peter 3:15). This mystery of the Lord’s life is made present in the mystery of the Holy Mass.
While we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ in a very solemn way at Easter, we actually celebrate it each Sunday, that is the Lord’s Day. Sunday is ‘the Lord’s Day’ because of His resurrection (cf. Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-7; John 20:1-23).
All these things which our Lord said and did are the fulfillment of God’s self-revelation (cf. Matthew 5:17; Hebrews 1:1).
By showing our love for the Lord and all others we show how well we know Him whom we serve (cf. Colossians 3:24). By praying to Him and like Him we demonstrate our fidelity to Christ Jesus (cf. Mark 16:17; John 14:13).
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr