Day 9: Nicene Creed, 1st Line

I believe in one God,

As we recite these words together every Sunday during Mass, I hear the voices of Christians throughout the centuries united in professing the very same creed. I imagine incredible souls like St. Augustine and St. Thérèse of Lisieux who declared this exact same faith in their time and culture, as well as the millions and millions of Catholics and other Christians gathered around the world declaring the same faith now. As my voice blends with the other voices in the room, I feel my soul’s roots stretch deep and wide into the rich soil of our spiritual heritage. I sense the enormity of this faith that is not just my own, and find joy in the fact that I have become a part of something so much bigger than anything I could have ever been on my own. I feel safe, grounded, secure and in good company with those who have already fought the good fight, and those who are fighting alongside me.  

The Nicene Creed—born out of the great councils of undivided Christianity in the 4th century—wastes no words. Each one is purposeful, and deeply significant. This is our essential faith as Christians, the core of what we believe. And to begin with, we believe in one God. Not many gods, or just any god. One.

Care to share?

This reflection is a part of By Heart: A Lenten Prayer Project.