mystery
"By this 'will,' we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." —Hebrews 10:10
God has graciously revealed Himself to us through creation, history (especially the Exodus), the Jewish people, the Law, the prophets, Wisdom literature, the covenants, the priesthood, the Davidic dynasty, etc. Nevertheless, "in times past, God spoke in fragmentary and varied ways" (Heb 1:1).
"In this, the final age, He has spoken to us through His Son" (Heb 1:2). Jesus is the eternal, incarnate, and final Word. There is no further public revelation after the apostles and the Bible. The Holy Spirit has revealed so much to us. The Church will spend all of the rest of time "to grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love" (Eph 3:18).
However, even with God's astounding revelation, God is primarily mystery.
- Why and how are there three Persons in one God?
- How can the eternal Son of God empty Himself (Phil 2:7) and be fully God and fully man?
- How does the Father eternally beget the Son?
- How does the Father through and with Jesus eternally send the Holy Spirit?
- How does Jesus' once-and-for-all sacrifice on Calvary transcend time and space?
- How does God live in me and I in Him?
Let us celebrate these mysteries.
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to reveal to me Your depths (1 Cor 2:11).
Promise: "Whoever does the will of God is brother and sister and mother to Me." —Mk 3:35
Praise: St. Francis was a gentle bishop and teacher. He was fond of saying, "A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar."
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 10, 2016
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.