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 480.

That Jesus Christ rose on the third day (Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19; 27:64; Mark 9:31; 10:34; Luke 9:22; 13:32; 18:33; 24:7, 21, 46; Acts 10:40; 13:30), that he raised Lazarus (John 11:1-45), that he cured the sick, the blind, the crippled (Matthew 4:24; 9:27-33; 11:5; 12:22; 15:28-31; 17:18; 21:14; Mark 6:5; Luke 6:18; 7:21; 9:43), that He walked on water (Matthew 14:25), that He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:25) all emphasize His Divinity, that He is God. To deny Jesus’ divinity is like the heresy of Arius of old.

That Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7), that He died upon the Cross (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 19:30), that He was buried in a tomb (Matthew 27:59-60; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53; John 19:40-42), that He wept (John 11:35) that He had friends (Matthew 17:1; Mark 5:37; 9:2; 13:3; Luke 12:4; John 15:13-15) all emphasize His humanity, that He was (and is) a man among men and women, children of all ages. To deny Jesus’ humanity is like the Gnostic Docetist of old.

The mysteriousness of the Incarnation, that God became like us in all things but sin to save us from our sins (Hebrews 2:17; 4:15) hinges on Christ Himself. To deny the unity of Jesus’ person is like Nestorius of old.

The Christian Mystery of the Holy Trinity is that God is One in Three: One Being, three Divine Persons. The One only God deals with us through the One Son who is one in being with the Father and the Spirit. There are some who invoke this aspect of our Faith to discount or discredit any veneration of the Saints who are the friends of God (cf. John 15:15). When we honor them it is because they honored the One God in their lives on Earth and now still in Heaven they adore the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit. Any mediatory ability enjoyed by the Saints comes from the one only mediator between us and God: Jesus Christ. (cf. 1 Timothy 2:5; Galatians 3:20; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24)

The Ecumenical Councils of Nicaea (AD 325) and Ephesus (AD 431) help us to overcome the errors and heresy of the past and help us to stay close to Jesus Christ and His bride Mother Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the fruit of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) and our prayerful study helps us to grow in Faith, Hope and Charity (1 Corinthians 13:13).

God bless you!

Father John Arthur Orr