Virginal Conception, Massacre of the Innocents, and Samwise Gamgee
Catechism Takeaways: Part V
Good evening all! This week's section of the Catechism was pages 122-152 in the "big green edition", or CCC 484-594.
This section starts with Jesus's conception and ends with His trial before crucifixion. Some of the more specific topics covered are:
Mary's Virginal Conception of Jesus
Christ's Infancy
Christ's Hidden Life
Christ's Public Life
Christ's Relationship with the Law
Christ's Relationship with the Temple
Jesus and Israel
In the video above, I share the three things that most spoke to me in this section. I would love to hear your thoughts and takeaways as well! If you do not have time to read the full sections, I always recommend reading the "In Brief" section for each week, as it summarizes the most important points from the preceding pages.
Below is a summary of what is shared in the video:
Teachings About Mary Reflect Teachings About Christ
"What the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on what it believes about Christ, and what it teaches about Mary illumines in turn its faith in Christ." CCC 487
This line summarizes the most important point to bring up when conversing with those outside the Church about Mary. What we believe about Mary is so important because of what it means about Jesus.
Many outside the Church think Catholics have a preoccupation with creating this goddess or additional deity in Mary. What they fail to understand at first is that, if Christ was born of a woman, it is mighty important what that woman was like. If Christ is perfect, does it follow that just any regular woman could carry Him in her womb for nine months? The Church doesn't think so!
Starting at CCC 503, the Catechism breaks down five important truths that follow from the teaching of Mary's virginal conception of Christ.
It makes God the "absolute" initiator of the Incarnation (503)
It establishes Jesus as the New Adam (made from nothing by God's power, 504)
It begins the welcoming of children of the New Covenant, adopted by the Holy Spirit (505)
It proves Mary's perfect, doubt-free faith (506)
"At once virgin and mother" Mary is the perfect symbol of the Church, who is pure in her faithfulness to her spouse in Christ, but also the mother of the children of God (507)
The Massacre of the Innocents Is Evil's Revolt
The Massacre of the Innocents has always been a difficult reality for me, especially since I became a mother. It is an evil I find hard to combine with a good God. Yet, in reading the Catechism and the notes in my Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament, I have found something that at least gives it more purpose in context.
Evil will always fight hardest when it is threatened. The Catechism says that this massacre "make(s) manifest the opposition of darkness to the light." (CCC 530) Satan does not care. His fights are dirty and desperate. The Catholic Study Bible points out Matthew's comparison of Christ to Moses by including this passage in conjunction with Christ's birth. Salvation is near, and Satan is panicking.
Moses was essential to help God's people keep their faith in the coming Savior. When he was born, the ultimate sin which first felled Adam and Eve compelled the ruler at that time to kill the baby boys. Power was threatened, a real God was coming, so the false god tried to kill Him. But the salvation story prevailed.
Then salvation breaks onto the scene, and again the idols of society rebel and kill selfishly to preserve their own, fleeting power. But Christ survives and dies on that cross in spite of the Devils worst attempts.
Even more impressive: both Moses and Christ still had followers in spite of these heart-wrenching distractions. Follow the worst persecution, and often you will find the good:
"Christ's whole life was lived under the sign of persecution. His own share it with him." CCC 530
We Must All Be Sam (Peter) For Each Other
In the section where it talks about Christ assigning Peter the keys of the kingdom, it states:
"His mission will be to keep this faith from every lapse and to strengthen his brothers in it." CCC 552
This instantly made my nerdy heart think of Sam helping Frodo complete his mission and get that ring to Mount Doom. Sam, like Peter, is a "everyman". He is not perfect. But he does such a good job helping his "brother" stick to his calling. In the same way, Peter was not perfect, but cared so much about doing what Jesus wanted, he was the best choice to lead the Church through the persecutions awaiting her early days.
In the same way, we are all called to be Sam for each other. When our fellow brother and sisters in Christ are struggling, carrying heavy burdens of sin or suffering or doubt, we have to help them keep going on the right path. And when they stray, in charity we have to bring them back. Most important: when we struggle or stray, we have to let those staying the proper course guide us back as well.
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