Lord

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ... Nicene-Constantinople Creed.

Lord--Κύριον or Kyrie in Greek--Dóminum in Latin--we now use "Lord" almost exclusively to mean "God."  

Social relationships shifted greatly between the first century and, for example, the twelfth, Our own concepts for kings and lords come entirely from the middle ages and from European aristocracy stretching into the 19th century.  American romance novels are full of "yes my Lord" and "His Lordship."  The idea seems oddly out of place in 21st century America.

But what did Kyrie mean when the Old Testament was translated in 100BC? I gather that the earlier Hebrew was Adonai for Lord and synonymous with "God."  The Septuagent translaters used Kyrie. Paul would have read "Kyrie" as God. He uses Kyrie/Dominus for Jesus in the first century and there it is in the fourth century Nicene language: Kyrie/Dominus.

So if Kyrie is synonymous with God, what is the connotation? What does it say about our relationship with God?

My search of Latin dictionaries brings back "master" as the meaning of Dominus. It comes from the same root as the English "dominate," that is the Latin Dominari, to rule.  I can't help wondering if it isn't also related to "Domus" or household--implying that to rule is to be head of the family or household. I wasn't able to document that.  

I found "master" and "ruler" as alternative translations of Adonai.  Regardless of the era or the social context, "Lord" always implies the man in charge, the one to whom some sort of obedience is owed.   What do we have in our own era that conveys such meaning? "Boss" doesn't seem to cover it. 

Household implies family--authority, yes, but loving authority.

I believe in one Master, Jesus Christ.  That fits. That is what I believe. I am of the household of Jesus and he is the Master of the household.

Maker

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. Nicene-Constantinople Creed

Here's the easy one, the beginning of what I believe: Wake up. Look around. Wow--who made this? 

For this part the Baltimore Catechism hit it just right. Who is God? God is the supreme being who made all things. Who made me? God made me.   

Then it gets complicated. Why did God make me? He made me to know, love, and serve Him in this world and to be happy with Him in the next. 

I was twelve when I asked the question, "Is there a God? Because if there isn't this religion thing doesn't make much sense." The experience that followed the question is hard to describe.  What it left me with was the sure knowledge that God is and that He is the hub around which my existence revolves. He is the centering reality that gives form to my life.  Everything else is secondary.

Winter

And perhaps I shall stay or even spend the winter with you, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go. 1 Corinthians 16:6

Sometimes you have to begin again. Late winter, just before Lent is one of those times.

My journey never stopped but this blog dropped by the wayside along the way. This seems like a good time to pick it up again. This time I hope to reflect on two topics: 1) what I believe and 2) marriage. What do I believe? I'm a Nicene Christian--and  Roman Catholic. 

I still struggle with discerning God's will for my future, but less than before. It isn't really necessary to see the entire road map, only to continue the journey, "wherever I may go" and to trust that he is leading one step at a time. His word is a lamp to my path.