Consubstantial (Mt 13:54-58)

In our creed, Jesus is announced consubstantial with the Father.  What a great word that means "of the same substance" or simply "made of the same stuff."   

The creed does not say consubstantial with man but Jesus is.  He was born of the Virgin Mary.  Most Christians seem to want to forget this.  They want Mary out of the picture.  They forget Jesus's human side.

Catholics do not forget that Jesus was a man.  God's Word that experienced Humanity.  He lived.  He suffered.  He died.  In other churches you see an empty cross.   In the Catholic Church you see the crucifix which has suffering tortured man, Jesus.  

The Catholic tradition remembers Jesus'  life and ministry.  It is contemplated in the rosary.  His human suffering is remembered in the stations of the cross.  His birth is celebrated in the Christmas celebration.  His agony, torture, and suffering experienced in the Easter Tridium.  We do not forget that Jesus was consubstantial with us.

This human man Jesus is what the people knew in Nazareth.  They did not see a prophet.   People were astounded at Jesus' expertise and authority in the synagogue, but, could not except it.  Jesus was the carpenter's son.  A man with callouses, he knew wood.  People did not have to ask "whose your momma."   He was just a local boy, from a poor family.  The locals were offended by his authority, ability, and deeds of power.  

Jesus was consubstantial with us.  Through this shared humanity,  Christ gave his authority to his apostles.  Authority which has been passed down through his Church.  

Maybe we have become like the people of Nazareth.  We are not seeing the substance of the Christ in the Church.  We only see the human side with all its shortcomings.  Too many have forgotten the consubstantial Christ.  One with the Father, Christ said "this is my body".    Too many live in a world view of spirituality, religion, and faith; seeing the  faith the world not the divine.   

Consubstantial with the Father is the source of our faith in Jesus Christ.  Consubstantial with man is the event of our redemption and the act of our salvation.  It is important that we remember both and we remember that it is found in the Church.