The Credo

In studies of Faith -  we often hear or read of "The Credo" - what is this?

From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary "Credo comes straight from the Latin word meaning "I believe", and is the first word of many religious credos, or creeds, such as the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. But the word can be applied to any guiding principle or set of principles. Of course, you may choose a different credo when you're 52 than when you're 19. But here is the credo of the writer H. L. Mencken, written after he had lived quite a few years: "I believe that it is better to tell the truth than to lie. I believe that it is better to be free than to be a slave. And I believe that it is better to know than to be ignorant".  

In the Catholic Church during the celebration of Holy Mass - around the world - in many languages - participants all speak the same Credo during the service - repeating the Credo - I Believe.  In worship this is an assumed statement of faith spoken by all - priests - deacons - laity.  The original Nicene Creed stated "We Believe" more recently modified to say "I Believe" - I spoken by the individual - in community - as a group - We Believe.

In the practice of Christian faith - so very important that all proclaim I Believe.  I believe in God - the Father - the Son - the Holy Spirit.   One God - three personalities - One undivided Divine Person.  In this belief - all else in the practice of Christianly - flows. 

Deacon Dale 

Religious Or Spiritual?

 It is very common to hear people speak of being - religious - spiritual - in both positive and negative ways.  For some - particularly - those who do not participate in a specific community gathering on a regular basis - being religious - spiritual - a practice to be mocked - ridiculed.  I recently read a post that said that among those who focus - think often about God - His existence - His reality - on a regular basis - are #1 - those who practice a specific belief in God - #2 - secondly atheists - those who spend as much - perhaps more energy than the believers - as they seek to disprove the believers beliefs.  Weird - yes?  Of course there are others - for various reasons - who say the word religious as if it leaves a bad taste in their mouths.   For the majority the word religious relates to a belief in God - the One who created everything.  Consider others who practice things completely unrelated to God.  We all know people who meet routinely  - on a set schedule - at a set location - with the same people - for purposes unrelated to God.  They may be a breakfast group - a sports group - or gathering routinely for dozens of reasons completely unrelated to God.  Those who meet following a set routine - time after time - can be said to be religious about these events. Being religious does not specifically mean being Godly.  Spirituality follows a similar path. There are hundreds of forms of spiritual expression - the majority focusing on one's relationship with God - many others looking to a different kind of spirit.  Finally - being religious does not automatically mean one is spiritual and vice versa.  One of the greatest gifts God gave to humanity besides life - free will.  Although we have been created in the likeness of the Creator - we are not gods.  What that means - simply - we have the ability to accept - reject - anything - everything - that we experience.  It is up to each individual to determine if they were hurt - or helped.  Perspective is reality - reality for most is what is clearly seen by each individual.  Being religious - spiritual - exists in the mind of the individual.  No one else has the ability to really know the heart of another.  That alone belongs to God.  What is important is that for those who profess a belief in God - their observance whether religious - spiritual - is honest - true. 

Deacon Dale 

What A Stretch!

 My last post mentioned "Heading Into The Stretch" which referred to moving from the Fourth week of Advent into Christmas - what a stretch that was!  I missed posting the entire Christmas Season - now firmly set in Ordinary Time.  In those weeks - busy with too many things - preparing to celebrate Christmas - preparing for family events - preparing to make our annual pilgrimage to Arizona.  This  year - all those things took more time - effort - drawing my attention away from blogging.  Trusting in God - the Author of Life - the Author of My Life - I accept what I did not do - what was accomplished instead.  As a person of Faith - I can only Trust - this was the Will of God - whatever  the Reason.  Now firmly entrenched into 2023 - all of us - New Years Resolutions promised - failed - in the works - all up to the Lord's Design.  

With God - all things are possible - the mundane - the extraordinary - the minor - the grand.  In His eyes - all things - all projects - worthy - as long as they help - encourage - inspire - others in what they are doing.  In 2023 our goal - to become better - better people - better friends - better in every aspect of our lives - no matter what we do.  Done with honest hearts -  honest intent - God will bless all of our efforts.  Remember - with God - all things are possible.  May the Lord of Lords - the God of Heaven and Earth - Jesus His Only Son - Bless all you do in 2023.

In His Name

Deacon Dale