My dear Parishioners,

Peace! The first article of the Apostle’s Creed is: I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of Heaven and Earth. There are forty “in brief” statements in The Catechism of the Catholic Church which treat this article of our saving faith. What follows is a reflection on article 383.

God, who is Triune (Three Divine Persons in One Godhead) is a Communion of Persons. We have been created in the divine image and are therefore made to be likewise persons in communion. The communion of male and female persons, created by God is part of the original Divine Plan. Even a lone hermit in the desert is not alone insofar as Communion with God and with His People is maintained. The Communion of Saints (which is treated elsewhere in the Catechism) likewise assures us that we need never be alone. Of course, we also have the assurance of the Lord’s presence (Matthew 28:20; John 14:17-18).

Here the Catechism is focusing on the communion among created persons, starting with Genesis 1:27 where we read that God ‘created man and woman.’ Here we have part of the good creation which is partly visible (our bodies) and partly invisible or unseen (our souls). The society of created persons, human persons, is realized in a special way in Holy Marriage. Holy Marriage is that intimate union of husband and wife for life and the transmission of life wherein the good of each and that of their children is sought. This original and essential building block of society is to be safeguarded and cherished. How many attacks are made, even daily, against this part of God’s plan for us. While the Catechism will have more on this when treating the ‘Sacraments’ and the ‘Commandments’ let us be vigilant, nonetheless as regards this aspect of our saving faith.

While Holy Marriage between one man and one woman may be the ‘first form of communion’ among created persons, there are other forms of communion among created persons. Allegiance given to one’s native place and land, various civic organizations like the Rotary Club of religious organization like the Ladies of Charity or Knights of Columbus (both of which presuppose that communion of persons which results from Holy Baptism). When God first gathered Israel together this people of God was and still is a communion of persons, mirroring the unity in diversity which is the Holy Trinity.

When we come together for the Holy Mass or for the Liturgy of the Hours, each liturgical assembly is likewise a communion of created persons not only among themselves, nor even primarily among themselves but with God and for God in whose image we are made. Part of God’s merciful plan for us is likewise that unending communion we call Heaven, for which we long.

God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr