Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the Easter Sunday.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! The fifth article of the Apostle’s Creed is “Jesus Christ descended into Hell, and rose from the dead on the third day.” There are five (5) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding this article of the Creed. The following is a reflection on article 658.
When we read in Sacred Scripture that ‘Christ is the firstborn from the dead’ (Colossians 1:18) we should remember that we will rise with Him on the last day, even as we have already been raised with Him in the saving waters of Baptism.
Christ’s resurrection, the basis of our faith (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:14-20), is also the principle for our own resurrection as well as the principle of the justification of our soul.
A principle is a fundamental truth or proposition which serves as the foundation for belief or action. The science of faith is called theology. Biblical theology is the science of faith based upon Sacred Scripture. Systematic theology is the science of faith which covers all the various articles of faith. Sacramental theology is the science of faith which focuses on the signs instituted by Christ to give us grace. One of the fundamental truths of our faith is the divinity of Jesus Christ. Jesus establishes His divinity not only by the various miracles He does (cf. Matthew 4:23; 11:4-5; Luke 6:17-19; Acts 2:22-24) or the wonderful words He speaks (cf. Matthew 7:24-28; Mark 10:24; Luke 4:22; 6:47; John 6:68). The Easter mystery, Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is His definitive miracle after which He speaks with all the more authority: “Teach all nations … all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20). Our fidelity to weekly Sunday Mass is an action based upon our belief in Jesus’ resurrection. Our rejection of sin and vice is likewise based upon our faith in Christ who calls us to ‘sin no more’ (cf. John 5:14; 8:11) who is risen from the dead, who dies no more. The articles of the Creed are a collection of the various principles of our faith.
Because Jesus Christ rose from the dead we have a well founded faith in our own resurrection on the last day. While all the dead will rise, those who die in friendship with Christ will rise to glory. There is a different destination for those who die in their sins. May we not be in that number.
While the Creed identifies the Holy Spirit as the ‘Lord and giver of life.’ We know from Sacred Scripture that Jesus Christ is ‘the way, the truth and the life’ (cf. John 14:6).
Jesus’ resurrection is the principle of the justification of the saints. Jesus has paid the price of our salvation by His death. Jesus’ resurrection confirms His victory and is applied to us in His Sacraments in His Church. May our faith in Christ’s resurrection be strengthened day by day as we live out our faith in action.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr