Creed

Every Sunday morning I join my heart with Catholics around the world and recite a magnificent statement of faith, the Nicene Creed. The creed in its current form dates from 381 AD, but it expresses what Christians have believed from the dawn of our faith.

I love what songwriter Rich Mullins says about it in "Creed," his appropriately titled song:

And I believe what I believe

is what makes me what I am

I did not make it, no it is making me.

It is the very truth of God

and not the invention of any man

I feel a longing to write about it, line by line, in a series of posts over time. I'm not sure how long it will take; I can see at least three potential posts in the first line alone! I'll learn more about the ancient beginnings of our faith, as well as have an opportunity to express my deepest heartfelt feelings about the statement I recite each week.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth, and all that is seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God, begotten, not made,

one in Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation

he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit

he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again

in fulfilment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and His kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.

He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come.
Amen