Vatican II at 50 - Death AND Resurrection

This Easter at my parish, are professing  the Apostles’ Creed rather than the Nicene Creed.   While both are permitted, the Apostles’ Creed is more suited to this season because it is the same Creed that was professed by the Elect before their baptism.   We too professed the Apostles’ Creed at the Masses on Easter Sunday (in question and answer form) when we renewed the promises of our Baptism. 

The Apostles’ Creed is so named because it is believed to have been written by the first Apostles.  It is shorter and simpler than the Nicene Creed  but, like the Nicene Creed the Apostles’ Creed begins with a profession of faith in God the Father, includes our belief that Jesus died and rose, and ends with the sure faith that we too, like Christ, will experience resurrection.   Both Creeds express our faith in what the Church calls “Paschal Mystery,” the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.  Ever since these Creeds came into being in the fourth century, the Church has maintained that the fullness of our redemption is to be found in Jesus’ death AND resurrection. 

In the Middle Ages Catholics dwelt almost exclusively on Jesus’ suffering and death.   The Second Vatican Council subtly shifted this mindset in its “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy” emphasizing that our redemption was accomplished by “the paschal mystery of his blessed passion, resurrection from the dead, and glorious ascension.”   Like the  Catholics in the Middle Ages, we often find it easier and more comforting to dwell on suffering and death.   It’s the freedom that comes with resurrection that is the real challenge!   May we take up this challenge, living as Easter people, a people who believe we have already died with Christ in baptism, and are ready to live in the hope, joy and freedom of resurrection!  Amen.