My dear Parishioners,
Peace! The ninth article of the Apostle’s Creed is “I believe in the Holy Catholic Church.” There are thirty-five (35) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding this article of the Creed. The following is a reflection on article 808.
Marital imagery is used throughout Sacred Scripture for the relationship between God and His people, Israel of old and now the Church, the new Israel (cf. Isaiah 61:10; 62:5; Matthew 25:1; John 3:29; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 21:2, 9; 22:17). Christ is the faithful bridegroom and His bride is the Church. Israel’s unfaithfulness is likened to marital infidelity, especially in the Prophecy of Hosea, yet God remains faithful (cf. Hosea 1:2; 3:1-5; 4:15).
Jesus Christ, bridegroom of Mother Church, loves His bride and gave Himself up for her on the wood of the Cross (cf. Ephesians 5:25), reminding us of the holy Vows of Marriage: “… all the days of my life.” The saving death of Jesus is made present each time the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered. Faithfully, we do this in memory of Him (cf. Luke 22:19).
Christ gave His life for His bride the Church, laying down His life on the Cross where His blood was shed (cf. Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:33; John 19:19). By His blood Christ has purchased and payed for our salvation, making possible a right relationship between us and God, drawing us near in reconciliation. Whatever peace exists between us and Heaven is thanks to the blood of Jesus’ Cross. Neither the blood of goats nor calves purifies Christ’s bride the Church, but by His very own blood He has obtained for us eternal redemption. The blood of Jesus purifies and cleanses our consciences. While there is no cleansing or remission without the shedding of blood, Christ’s blood not only cleanses from and remits sins but gives confidence to our hope of entering into Heaven. It is in the blood of Jesus that we have been washed and saved. (cf. Acts 20:28; Romans 3:25; 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; 2:13; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 9:12-14, 22; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5; 7:14; 22:14).
In Sacred Scripture marital fecundity (fruitfulness) is seen as a blessing (cf. Psalm 128:3). By our belief in the Lord Jesus, receiving Him in faith, we are able to be adopted children of Heaven (cf. John 1:12; Hebrews 2:10). When we do the will of the eternal Father, as the eternal Son made man did, we are able to become brothers and sisters to Christ (cf. Matthew 12:50). We are the brethren of the Lord Jesus when we have the Church as our mother (Acts 1:14-15). As faithful sons and daughters of mother Church we are also among the many brethren of the Lord (cf. Romans 8:29).
Let us be grateful for Christ’s bride and our mother, the Church. By God’s grace may we always be faithful sons and daughters of both God and the Church.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr