“… you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion,
Who was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.” (1 Tm 3:14-16)
This text from Saint Paul to Timothy was the Mass reading for September 20. Last month I explained what refers directly to the title, that is, behaving in the Church, the living house of God. Today I will follow up briefly on another aspect of this wonderful, and highly condensed biblical text. I have kept the title though, which however was more appropriate for the first part.
Mystery of Devotion
What is the mystery of devotion of which the Apostle speaks?
In Aquinas’ commentary to the letters of Saint Paul, we read a commendation of the Church, as the place where this mystery dwells. That is, Christ has appeared as human and divine. Interestingly enough, Saint Thomas says, playing with words, that a mystery or sacrament is a sacrum secretum, a hidden (sacred) secret. Thus, the mystery of the Incarnation was hidden or kept secret in God’s heart. The word of God was hidden in the Father’s heart, but this word then was made man. So, the secret locked in God’s heart was manifested. The same way that a word is hidden in the mind of a person before it is spoken and then becomes audible, thus the Word of God, lying in God’s heart, was manifested in the flesh: the word was made flesh and dwelt among us (Jo 1: 14). God’s word “was spoken,” his voice became “audible”. This is a beautiful way to speak about the mystery of the Incarnation, the mystery through which we have been offered salvation. Even the angels saw it! It was preached to the pagan world and believed by many.
Aquinas concludes his reflection with an exhortation. Since this word made flesh was taken into heaven (Christ’s ascended into heaven), every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of the Father (Phil 2: 11). May our faith lead us to confess the glory of God who, out of infinite love for us, became one of us in the flesh without leaving aside his divinity.
God bless you all.
Author: The Contribution of Cornelio Fabro to Fundamental Theology. Reason and Faith: ://www.cambridgescholars.com/product/978-1-5275-9315-2
Poesía Sacra, Quemar las Naves, and Desde Fossanova, IVE Press: ://ivepress.org/
