"Creed" on canvas by Chick A- part of her Beauty and Truth Collection

There is something comforting about standing with your family in the universal Church and professing the creed in Mass.  Looking back on my Christian upbringing, I wouldn’t have put reciting the creed as high on my list of memorable religious experiences.  However, upon reflecting on those foundational years of my faith, I can now fully appreciate the importance of reciting the creed Sunday after Sunday.

The creed is a statement of belief.  The word derives from the Latin word “credo” which means “I believe.”  The creeds have their roots in scripture and were written to profess faith and to refute heresies that arose.

In his book, “The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why it Matters,” Catholic theologian Luke Timothy Johnson writes the following:

“In a world that celebrates individuality, they are actually doing something together.  In an age that avoids commitment, they pledge themselves to a set of convictions and thereby to each other.  In a culture that awards novelty and creativity, they use words written by others long ago.  In a society where accepted wisdom changes by the minute, they claim that some truths are so critical that they must be repeated over and over again.  In a throwaway, consumerist world, they accept, preserve and continue tradition.  Reciting the creed at worship is thus a countercultural act.”

Not only is it important to be able to profess belief in the essential Christian doctrines, there is a certain level of comfort one receives from engaging in this part of worship.  I love the unity as we stand with other members of the body of Christ and affirm our belief.  I love the cadence of the different voices speaking in “one” voice.  I love to see all the people – big, little, old, young, short, tall, able bodied, feeble all coming together to affirm faith in Christ.

So the next time you are reciting the creed in Church – remember we are doing something countercultural; we are “standing” for something we believe in; we are affirming our belief in Christ and what he has done for us.  We are doing this together and – that is comforting.

Chick A