Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 33rd 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 562.
Not only do we believe that God became man in Christ Jesus but we believe all that He has and continues to teach us through Holy Mother Church (cf. Matthew 5:1; 10:1; 6:33; 11:27; 12:49; 13:36, 51; 21:6; 28:19-20). To be a ‘disciple’ means ‘to be a learner’ (Greek: mathano; Latin: discipulus a scholar). Our Master Teacher is none other than God Himself (cf. Matthew 5:2; 13:54; 19:16-17; John 3:2-3). If we stop seeking to learn, to know the truth which sets us free, our discipleship ceases (cf. Luke 14:26-33; 1 John 2:4).
We are conformed to Christ Jesus by His grace given us initially in Holy Baptism and then deepened in His other sacraments of salvation (cf. Galatians 4:19). When we live holy lives our conformity to Christ is apparent. The Saints are prime examples of lives conformed to Christ. We are all called to be Saints, holy like the Lord who has made and redeemed us, by His grace.
We are assumed into the mysteries of the very life of Jesus Christ and the Holy Trinity, again, by God’s grace given us initially in Holy Baptism and then deepened in His other sacraments. When we well receive Christ in Holy Communion the indwelling of the Holy Trinity is all the more palpable. When we are anointed in the Sacrament of the Sick our sufferings are united to the sufferings of Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:5; Colossians 1:24) and we are conformed to Christ, united to His Passion.
When we are born and baptized we are assumed into the Nativity and Baptism of the Lord Jesus who was born in Bethlehem and Baptized in the Jordan and who commands that all be Baptized (cf. Matthew 2:1; 3:6). Baptism is our new birth into the life of grace, the very life of God.
When we die and are buried we are united with Christ our Lord in His death on Good Friday and His Holy Seplechure (cf. Matthew 27:33; Mark 15:22; Luke 23:33; John 19:17).
We have been raised with Christ in His resurrection not only from the waters of Baptism but even each time we are absolved from our post-baptismal sins in Confession (Romans 6:4; Colossians 3:1).
This is how we are a part of Christ’s Kingdom: by being His disciples, always seeking to know and love and serve Him better and better, day by day; united to Him all our days by His grace given to us through His sacraments which make us living stones (1 Peter 2:5) in His bride, Mother Church, the Kingdom in seed.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr