My dear Parishioners,

Peace! The second article of the Apostle’s Creed is “And in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord.” There are four (4) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding this article of the Creed. The following is a reflection on article 454.

The Second Commandment, to honor and respect the Holy Name of God (cf. Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11) includes not only “God” or “Trinity” but also: “Jesus” “Christ” “Son” “Holy Spirit” and all of the holy Angels and Saints (more on this when we treat the Commandments). When we honor the Holy Name of God in this way we fulfil the Law and the Prophets (cf. Matthew 5:17; Revelation 11:18).

While “Jesus” is our Savior’s given Name provided by the Angel (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31), His Name from all eternity even before the Incarnation is “Son.” There never was a time when there was not an eternal Son of the eternal Father. We are adopted sons and daughters of God Most High in the One Only Son Jesus Christ. His unique relationship with the eternal Father allows us our relationship with God.

Our being children of God by adoption has not been from all eternity but need not ever end once we have been Baptized and entered into the very divine life of the Holy Trinity.

Part of the mystery of the Holy Trinity is that the Father is God, the Son is God and the Spirit is God; not three (3) Gods, but One (1).

Part of our Christian Faith is belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, which is to say that He is God, One in being with both the Father and the Spirit. Whoever believes this, believes the Christian Faith because the Trinity and the Incarnation are the twin peaks of the “hierarchy of truths” of our faith (cf. CCC §§ 234, 463). Those who do not accept the divinity of Christ, that Jesus is the Son of God likewise do not accept the Christian Faith.

During the great jubilee year 2000 Pope John Paul II approved (16 June) and ordered Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) to publish (6 August) the Declaration Dominus Iesus from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding this very matter, how Faith in Christ is necessary for salvation as the ordinary means of salvation (cf. Acts 4:12; Galatians 3:20; 1 Titus 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15). These are timeless truths uttered and believed He returns in glory.

This is our Faith to which we give our allegiance and which we are bound to share (cf. Romans 16:26; 1 Corinthians 9:16). Since we know that “without Faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6) how grateful we should be that God has given us this gift of Faith in Christ. Let us be generous in sharing the same…

God bless you!

Father John Arthur Orr