Marks of the Church
About a week ago, Father V. over at Adam’s Ale had a post about the Creeds. It made me reflect on the importance of our most well known prayers; The Lord’s Prayer, The Hail Mary, and The Apostle’s Creed. When St. Thomas Aquinas gave a series of Lenten sermons on these three prayers back in 1273, he recognized that they contain a complete Christian education.
Every Sunday at Mass we stand together and recite the Nicene Creed. We announce to the world what we know to be the unchanging truth professed by the Catholic Church. The Nicene Creed is a summary of the Deposit of Faith as handed on to the Church from Christ Himself through His Apostles. Toward the end are the words, “I believe in the one holy catholic and Apostolic Church.
These words refer to what are traditionally known as the “Four Marks of the Church.” It is these marks that make it possible for us to recognize it as the one true Church, willed by the Father, founded by Jesus Christ, and forever guided and protected by the Holy Spirit.
Because these “marks” of the one true Church are so interrelated, they can be considered inseparable. They form a coherent ideal of what Christ’s Church must be. The unity, or oneness, of the Church is a universal unity of faith and hope; it is apostolic unity and a unity of holiness.
The Church is one whenever we all join together to profess the same faith. We are united through the saving sacrifice of Christ offered during Mass. We celebrate the same sacraments and are joined together under the leadership of the Holy Father.
As the visible sign and sacrament of Christ on earth, The Church is holy because Christ is holy. It teaches what Jesus taught and it calls each of us to holiness. Through the sacraments, instituted by Christ, and celebrated in unity, we receive the graces to live a Christian life.
The Church is “catholic” which means universal. It exists for all people and teaches the same doctrines. Geographical location and local custom do not change the doctrines entrusted to the Church.
Finally, the church is apostolic. The mission of the Church was given to the Apostles. These Apostles in turn appointed successors who appointed more successors and so on, until the present. When we call the Church “apostolic”, we are really saying the teaching of Jesus Christ, given to the apostles who were “sent forth”, is the very same as we teach today.
About a week ago, Father V. over at Adam’s Ale had a post about the Creeds. It made me reflect on the importance of our most well known prayers; The Lord’s Prayer, The Hail Mary, and The Apostle’s Creed. When St. Thomas Aquinas gave a series of Lenten sermons on these three prayers back in 1273, he recognized that they contain a complete Christian education.
Every Sunday at Mass we stand together and recite the Nicene Creed. We announce to the world what we know to be the unchanging truth professed by the Catholic Church. The Nicene Creed is a summary of the Deposit of Faith as handed on to the Church from Christ Himself through His Apostles. Toward the end are the words, “I believe in the one holy catholic and Apostolic Church.
These words refer to what are traditionally known as the “Four Marks of the Church.” It is these marks that make it possible for us to recognize it as the one true Church, willed by the Father, founded by Jesus Christ, and forever guided and protected by the Holy Spirit.
Because these “marks” of the one true Church are so interrelated, they can be considered inseparable. They form a coherent ideal of what Christ’s Church must be. The unity, or oneness, of the Church is a universal unity of faith and hope; it is apostolic unity and a unity of holiness.
The Church is one whenever we all join together to profess the same faith. We are united through the saving sacrifice of Christ offered during Mass. We celebrate the same sacraments and are joined together under the leadership of the Holy Father.
As the visible sign and sacrament of Christ on earth, The Church is holy because Christ is holy. It teaches what Jesus taught and it calls each of us to holiness. Through the sacraments, instituted by Christ, and celebrated in unity, we receive the graces to live a Christian life.
The Church is “catholic” which means universal. It exists for all people and teaches the same doctrines. Geographical location and local custom do not change the doctrines entrusted to the Church.
Finally, the church is apostolic. The mission of the Church was given to the Apostles. These Apostles in turn appointed successors who appointed more successors and so on, until the present. When we call the Church “apostolic”, we are really saying the teaching of Jesus Christ, given to the apostles who were “sent forth”, is the very same as we teach today.
When reflected upon, these marks of the true Church strengthen our faith and give us hope. Next Sunday, take Father V’s advice and really listen to what you are saying while reciting this profession of our faith, and know that the Holy Spirit is guiding and protecting the Church Christ founded for our salvation.
