Pastoral Message: The Apostles' Creed

Dear family and friends, in Jesus Christ, On this Sunday, we reflect on the significance of the Gospel, which recounts how Jesus called His apostles and empowered them to go forth and preach the Good News. He bestowed upon them the authority to confront unclean spirits and evil forces. Initially, the apostles traveled throughout Israel, sharing the message of Christ. However, following Jesus' resurrection, their mission expanded to encompass the entire world. Our faith is rooted in their preaching, which transcends time and continues to inspire us today. Today, I want to share some insights about the Apostles' Creed. If you examine the creed more closely, you'll find that it contains twelve foundational articles of faith, which form the bedrock of our Catholic belief. According to a cherished tradition attributed to St. Ambrose, each of these articles was inspired by one of the Twelve Apostles under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The twelve articles, along with their corresponding apostles, are as follows:

• 1. "I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth" (Associated with St. Peter).
• 2. "And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord" (Associated with St. John).
• 3. "Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary" (Associated with St. James the Greater).
• 4. "Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried" (Associated with St. Andrew).
• 5. "He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead" (Associated with St. Philip).
• 6. "He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty" (Associated with St. Thomas).
• 7. "From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead" (Associated with St. Bartholomew).
• 8. "I believe in the Holy Spirit" (Associated with St. Matthew).
• 9. "The holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints" (Associated with St. James the Less).
• 10. "The forgiveness of sins" (Associated with St. Simon).
• 11. "The resurrection of the body" (Associated with St. Jude Thaddeus).
• 12. "And life everlasting. Amen." (Associated with St. Matthias). Jesus called the apostles for two primary purposes: to be in His presence and to be sent out in His name. The essence of our discipleship lies in cultivating our relationship with Jesus. The more we embrace the first part of our calling—to be with Him—the more effectively we can fulfill the second part: proclaiming the Gospel as His witnesses. Dear friends and family, the faith we profess compels us to carry on the mission entrusted to the apostles. In our time, we are called to be living witnesses to the Gospel that Jesus revealed to us. Let us strive to be presenters of Jesus: His presence remains alive in our lives through the Scriptures and the Sacraments. Furthermore, God has gifted us with the Holy Spirit, who teaches and reminds us of Christ's teachings. We are invited to become one with Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to work through us. Additionally, let us become healers in our modern world. Many people suffer not only physically but also mentally and spiritually. As followers of Christ, we have the opportunity to bring healing and wholeness to those we encounter. While we may not have the power to raise the dead, we can reignite passion and purpose in those who feel lost. "Cleansing the lepers" symbolizes our mission to rehabilitate and welcome back into our communities those who have been marginalized, rejected, or despised. Let us embrace our calling and continue to share the light of Christ with all those around us. Fr. Tom Pastor, St. James' Roman Catholic Church "Do everything for the greater glory of God!"