November, the month of remembrance
Emma Duficy '09, Contributing Writer
Issue date: 11/24/08 Section: Perspectives
Every time Catholics recite the Apostles' Creed, following a confession of "I believe in the holy Catholic Church," they declare "the communion of saints." The phrase must be relatively important if it surfaces in the Church's statement of belief, right? As a matter of fact, the term "communion of saints" is a major constituent in the Christian faith,?so much so that it is worth mentioning, as a continuing reminder, not only for the month of November, but as a stepping stone as the Church transitions into the next liturgical year beginning next Sunday.
Based on St. Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 12, "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body," both the Christian living and the dead form a mystical body under Christ. In Corinthians, St. Paul wanted us to recognize that we are intimately connected to one another. He explains that the Church functions as a human body does; we all depend on one another like parts of the body do. The communion of all the faithful, those who are pilgrims on earth, the purified dead, and the blessed in heaven, all form one Church.
Saint Joseph, one of my personal favorite saints, helps me understand the idea and goal of the communion of saints within the Catholic Church. As the husband of Mary and father of Jesus, Joseph carried out the divine plan even when it eluded his human understanding. He is a model of life in faith and gives total openness to the heavenly Father's will, entrusting the safekeeping of his son in a mere Nazarene carpenter. In difficult moments, the humble man never disputed God's plan. Although seemingly outlandish, he respected the mystery, letting himself be guided by God's plan. Frankly, he's quite an upstanding man; he listens attentively to the angel and takes Mary as his wife. And as an attentive and faithful husband, Joseph exercises authority in a constant attitude of service. St. Joseph's steadfast faith provides me with motivation and direction in my personal faith journey.
Based on St. Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 12, "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body," both the Christian living and the dead form a mystical body under Christ. In Corinthians, St. Paul wanted us to recognize that we are intimately connected to one another. He explains that the Church functions as a human body does; we all depend on one another like parts of the body do. The communion of all the faithful, those who are pilgrims on earth, the purified dead, and the blessed in heaven, all form one Church.
Saint Joseph, one of my personal favorite saints, helps me understand the idea and goal of the communion of saints within the Catholic Church. As the husband of Mary and father of Jesus, Joseph carried out the divine plan even when it eluded his human understanding. He is a model of life in faith and gives total openness to the heavenly Father's will, entrusting the safekeeping of his son in a mere Nazarene carpenter. In difficult moments, the humble man never disputed God's plan. Although seemingly outlandish, he respected the mystery, letting himself be guided by God's plan. Frankly, he's quite an upstanding man; he listens attentively to the angel and takes Mary as his wife. And as an attentive and faithful husband, Joseph exercises authority in a constant attitude of service. St. Joseph's steadfast faith provides me with motivation and direction in my personal faith journey.
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reklama
posted 4/13/10 @ 11:50 PM MST
I think, that you commit an error.
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