Saint Leander of Seville’s Story (c. 534 – March 13, 600 or 601)
The next time you recite the Nicene Creed at Mass, think of today’s saint. For it was Leander of Seville who, as bishop, introduced the practice in the sixth century. He saw it as a way to help reinforce the faith of his people and as an antidote against the heresy of Arianism, which denied the divinity of Christ. By the end of his life, Leander had helped Christianity flourish in Spain at a time of political and religious upheaval.
Leander’s own family were staunch Christians: his brothers Isidore and Fulgentius were named bishops, and their sister Florentina became an abbess. Leander entered a monastery as a young man and spent three years in prayer and study. At the end of that tranquil period he was made a bishop. For the rest of his life he worked strenuously to fight against heresy. The death of the anti-Christian king in 586 helped Leander’s cause. He and the new king worked hand in hand to restore orthodoxy and a renewed sense of morality. Leander succeeded in persuading many Arian bishops to change their loyalties.
Leander died around 600. In Spain, he is honored as a Doctor of the Church.
Reflection
As we pray the Nicene Creed every Sunday, we might reflect on the fact that that same prayer is not only being prayed by every Catholic throughout the world, but by many other Christians as well. Saint Leander introduced its recitation as a means of uniting the faithful. Let’s pray that the recitation may enhance that unity today.
The Catechism we are reading follows the structure of the Apostles’ Creed with frequent references to the Nicene Creed for further details and explanations. Together, these Creeds aid us in articulating the beliefs we share with all members of the Catholic Church. Fr. Mike discusses why St. Ambrose refers to the Creed as “an ever-present guardian” and “treasure of our soul.” He encourages us not to take this gift for granted. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 193-197.
Today we further realize the sense of the word “credo,” meaning “I believe.” As we read the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed, we discover the differences between the two and come to understand how the Nicene Creed, which came centuries later, expands upon and explains the beliefs of the Apostles’ Creed. Fr. Mike tells us that these Creeds help us to share the essential elements of Catholicism, acting as “symbols of faith,” and encouraging communion between believers. Today’s readings are the Creeds and Catechism paragraphs 185-192.
16 So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, 18 and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds said to them. 19 As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as they had been told. 21 When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.
In a few moments we will recite the Nicene Creed which is one of the statements of belief in the Church. We have many creeds including the Apostles Creed and the Athanasian Creed. The Nicene Creed was formulated by the Council Fathers, the Bishops, under the leadership of the Pope at the Council of Nicea in the fourth century. The Nicene Creed was a response to heresy by a priest named Arius who challenged our beliefs. Arius thought he was brighter than the average bear and that he had knowledge that nobody else had. So, he, in his exalted wisdom, sought to redefine who Christ is. He denied the true nature of Christ. This caused a bloody revolt within the empire. The Church went through great strife., and there was martyrdom all over the world. It was terrible. But that is what evil does. So, the bishops of the Church gathered in council along with the Holy Father and made a declaration about who Christ is and where He came from.
Remember, Christ is a person. He is a “Who.” He is not an “it” or a “what.” And that is affirmed in the Nicene Creed. In philosophy, you learn that a person is a “Who.” Inside that “who” is a “what” which is their nature. We have a human nature…some of us just barely. Animals have an animal nature. Christ is a “Who” with two “what’s”. He has a divine nature which is Himself, and He had the human nature He took from the Blessed Mother. If you watch closely during the Mass, you see that I put one drop of water into the chalice of wine. The amount of wine and water in the chalice cannot be equal parts. The drop of water is not to cut the effect of the wine. It is to symbolize the human nature assumed and lost within the divinity. And unless I put that drop of water into the chalice of wine, the Mass is invalid because no Precious Blood has been consecrated. The mixture of wine and water in the chalice must be very precise because it is expressing the theological and ontological real meaning of who Christ is.
The Blessed Mother is fittingly called the mother of God so that each year God is made visible. Why is she called the mother of God? Because that is what scripture said. The Council Fathers declared that Mary, the Blessed Mother, was the mother of God. To some, this was a novel idea, but it really wasn’t because members of the Council knew scripture. And scripture said that Mary was the mother of God. Mary had just conceived when she went to visit Elizabeth, her kinswoman. And when Elizabeth said, “Who am I that the mother of our Lord should come unto me,” she was saying that Mary is the mother of God. Remember, when you read scripture, you have to read it as a First Century Jew coming from a Jewish culture. “Oh, I studied under so-and-so.” Do you know how to study the Old Testament? Study it under a rabbi. I did. Then you discover what things really mean. “Oh, that’s what that means.” Bingo! You have to consider the culture.
First Century Jews would never use our word for “God.” Even now, the Orthodox leave letters out and use hyphens. They don’t use the word “God.” When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby, John, leapt in her womb. Again, you have to read scripture in the original language. John didn’t “leap in the womb.” The original word was “danced.” It’s the same word that David used to describe what King David did before the Arc of the Covenant as the Arc was coming into Jerusalem. John the Baptist danced before the Arc of the New Covenant. Mary is referred to as the mother of our Lord throughout scripture. Mariology is a subset of Christology because if you study Christ, you have to study Mary. This is why, as Catholics, we have a great devotion to our Lady. “Oh, but we don’t want to neglect Christ.” I’m the wrong ethnicity, I’m French Canadian, but there’s a great Italian phrase that I love to repeat, “Hey Father, you take care of my mother, I remember your name.”
In praising the mother of God, aren’t you also praising Him who is the source and author of all virtue? However, it was not enough for Mary to be the mother of Christ. She also had a secondary vocation. Read the scriptures. When some people read them, they become like jailhouse lawyers …they read stuff and say, “Oh yeah! It says this.” Well, not quite. Mary is also our mother. At the wedding in Cana at Galilee, she said, “Son, they have no more wine.” Any man knows that when a woman says that it’s an implied task and you better get to work and fix it. She stated the problem and now it’s your problem. Fix it. Yes, Mom. Yes, Dear. What did Christ say? The English translation is not a good one. He didn’t call her “mother.” He said, “Woman what are thee to me?” This sounds very harsh. Say that to your mother and let me know how it works for you. Not well I bet. Even saying that to Bea Morton would result in a less than optimal outcome. There would be a lot of tears and crying on your part. But that was the beginning of Mary’s second vocation as our Lord began His ministry which was fulfilled three years later at the foot of the Cross. “Son, behold your mother. Woman, behold your son.” He said “woman” and not “mother.” She was to be the spiritual mother of all men. Christ works through her. Christ works through her to become present in this world. He works through her to open the gates of Heaven and help us with our salvation. Remember the words of Saint Bernard:
Remember, Oh gracious Sweet Virgin Mary, never has it been heard that you left unaided anyone who ran to you for protection, implored your help or sought for your intercessions. With this inspired confidence I fly to you my mother, Oh Sweet virgin of virgins, I come to you and before you I stand sinful and sorrowful. Oh Mother of The Word Incarnate, do not despise my petitions but listen, hear and answer them with your utmost love. Amen
Now is that a great prayer? Darn right. I say it every morning. Does it always work? Um, yes. However, I’m not a monsignor. The forecast looks really bleak on that front. But my prayers are never denied. I always receive strength, consolation, and affirmation. It always comes because Mom knows best. We use that phrase in our physical life how much more so is it true in our spiritual life? We know the mother of God. As Teresa Cuthrone might say, “Hey, I know a girl.”
When we pray the Rosary, we pray scripture. There is nothing contrary or adverse to Christ in that. Otherwise, she would have dropped out of scripture like Joseph. She is our mother too and wants to take care of us. She wants us to be with her Son. So always ask for help. Nobody has been sent to hell for asking for intercession.
Father’s Reflections… I had an appointment with my cardiologist on Wednesday. He said I was fine. Okay. But because I’m a cautious man, I kept the receipt.
How will you apply this message to your life? _________________________________________
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