The Communion of Saints

Every Sunday we stand and say the Nicene Creed, and in our daily prayers we say the Apostles' Creed. The two creeds are essentially alike. The Nicene Creed says "we believe" and the Apostles' Creed says "I believe." Both creeds mention "the communion of saints."

Here is a brief comment from late German theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar on this topic:

The Church is "the communion of saints" -- in German, "the communion of the holy." This expression signifies first those "holy things," including above all the Eucharist, around which the Church assembles for purposes of her salvation and catholic mission.

But precisely for that reason, the transition to "communion of holy persons" follows as an immediate consequence. And out of both, we have a glimpse into that unfathomable Mystery that, because Jesus "died for all," no one may any longer live and die for self alone (2 Cor 5:14f.); but that, in loving selflessness, as much of the good as anyone possesses belongs to all, which gives rise to an unending exchange and circulation of blood between all the members of the ecclesiastical Body of christ.

--Credo: Meditations on the Apostles' Creed, p. 85

Food for thought on this Lord's day.


In peace,
Linda+


The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333