Weekly messages from our Pastor

This week our priests will be teaching you about the new Creed we will be praying at Mass. Deacon Frank Agnoli from the Davenport Diocese gives us a good review of the new creed. He writes; “The Creed is a theologically rich text.” In this column, I want to point out that the new translation of the Creed highlights some important nuances that might have been less obvious in the current version: “Visible and invisible” is more accurate than “seen and unseen” — there may be things that we don’t currently see (they re outside our field of vision, but are capable of being seen); that’s different than referring to things that are, by their nature, visible or invisible (e.g., the angels). Also, the reference to Col 1:16 is made more explicit.

In reference to the Holy Spirit, the word “power” — which does not appear in the Creed — is absent in the new Missal. The incarnation is the act of a person (Holy Spirit) not an impersonal force; the new translation makes this more obvious.

We should note that the word “death” is not in the original Creed. Approved by Rome, this addition makes clearer what Jesus suffered. Our beliefs in regard to Jesus Christ are not only a fulfillment of the Scriptures (Old Testament) but are also attested to in the Scriptures (New Testament). Therefore, “in accordance” is a more inclusive phrase.

We do more than “acknowledge” baptism. To confess baptism has multiple levels of meaning: we believe in its efficacy, we have faith in the one who promised to act through it, and we proclaim it and invite others to it. “Looking forward” suggests that we are straining towards the Reign of God, like Paul’s reference to all creation “groaning” in anticipation (Rom 8:22). The current translation suggests a more passive stance.

Much of what we said last time about the Nicene Creed applies to the Apostles’ Creed. Here, I would like to point out an important change in the new translation. What the current translation renders as, “he descended to the dead” the new version splits into two phrases: “he descended into hell (Latin: inferos; the abode of the dead; the underworld; not the permanent state of separation from God that awaits those who completely reject the offer of divine love); on the third day he rose again from the dead.” As a result, the new translation emphasizes that through his passion and resurrection Christ overcame death itself.

I hope you found Deacon Agnoli’s review of the new Creed helpful.

May God bless you always,

Fr. John Francis Murray, C.Ss.R.

Question of the Week

Whom do you see as a servant of the Gospel? A servant of the poor?