The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “Jesus Christ is true God and true man” (No. 464).
This profound truth is a theological mystery. Christ gave it to us that our joy may be full. Faith enables us to believe the supernatural mysteries given to us by divine revelation.
The age of faith may be fading, but millions of believers cling to their Catholic faith with courage. We are living in a world that exalts individualism and denies the supernatural.
Never be afraid to uphold the truths of revelation. Jesus Christ said, “The Father and I are one” (Jn 10:30) and “If you know me, then you will also know my Father” (Jn 14:7). It may boggle the mind, but we accept it as true.
Holding fast to our faith requires a certain amount of determination and courage. We are constantly challenged to stand up for Jesus Christ. There is no middle ground. Jesus said, “Whoever is not with me is against me” (Mt 12:30).
The church’s teaching on Christ’s two natures has been under attack for centuries. Pagans ridiculed this belief from the beginning, and others attempted to turn the meaning of Scripture upside down.
In 325, the council of Nicaea responded to the heresy of Arianism that denied that the Son was coequal to the Father. From the council stemmed forth the Nicene Creed, which professes that the Son is “consubstantial with the Father,” that is, of the same substance.
The catechism tells us that the council of Chalcedon in 451 confessed that Christ “is to be acknowledged in two natures without confusion, change, division or separation” and that this “distinction between the natures was never abolished by their union” (No. 467).
In pondering the divinity and humanity of Christ, we are faced with Jesus’ question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Mt 16:15).
In his book, “Mere Christianity,” C.S. Lewis attempts to refute the argument that Christ is simply a great moral teacher using the “trilemma” argument: Christ is either the Son of God, a madman or a liar.
He either is who says he is, or he’s not. And if he’s not, then he wouldn’t exactly be a moral teacher, would he?
So who do we say that Christ is?
May we have the courage like Peter to exclaim, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” (Mt 16:16).
May the Lord be your strength and your joy.
