"I Believe in the Holy Catholic Church": Meaning and Mystery of the Church

"I Believe in the Holy Catholic Church": Meaning and Mystery of the Church

Dr. Alan Schreck begins to explore the Catholic Church's belief in and understanding of the Church. The Church is the work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, established to draw the human race back into communion with himself. Dr. Schreck discusses the meaning of the word "church," the Church as a mystery and sacrament of salvation, and the rich biblical images of the Church.

The Holy Spirit: Given at Pentecost and His Work in the Church

The teaching on the Holy Spirit continues with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Dr. Schreck also discusses the Holy Spirit's action in the lives of individual Christians and in the Church, as well as how we can recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in our own lives.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The creeds profess Christian belief in the Holy Spirit, but many do not understand who the Holy Spirit is and his importance in God's plan of salvation and in their lives.  In this first of two podcast episodes on the Holy Spirit, Dr. Schreck explores images of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and how a fuller revelation of the Spirit is given by Jesus and in New Testament writings.  The divinity of the Holy Spirit is confirmed by the First Council of Constantinople in 381, as expressed in the Nicene Creed.

Jesus' Ascension, Glorification with the Father, and His Return

After his Resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples until he was taken up to heaven—the Ascension—where he, as the Apostles' Creed professes, "sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty" and "from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead." Dr. Alan Schreck [https://magazine.franciscan.edu/articles/dr-alan-schreck/] reflects on the meaning of these events and mysteries of our Christian faith.  Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes [https://faithandreason.com/spirit-and-the-bride/] and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason [https://faithandreason.com/]. [https://faithandreason.com/spirit-and-the-bride/]

The Reason for Jesus' Death, and the Meaning of His Resurrection

Dr. Alan Schreck [https://spt.franciscan.edu/faculty/schreck-alan/]begins by summarizing why it was necessary for Jesus to undergo his passion and death. He explains the meaning and centrality of "the Resurrection of Jesus...the crowning truth of our faith..." (Compendium [https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html], 126); "...the fulcrum on which all of Christian faith turns..." (Bishop Robert Barron, What Christians Believe [https://book.wordonfire.org/what-christians-believe], p.71).   Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes [https://faithandreason.com/spirit-and-the-bride/] and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason [https://faithandreason.com/]. [https://faithandreason.com/spirit-and-the-bride/]