Ascertaining the Mysteries of God

Ascertaining the Mysteries of God

Once we understand the reasons for God’s intentions, the manner of opening up the many mysteries that are God’s to reveal might remove some of our questions.

Creation is the foundation of “all God’s saving plans,”  the “beginning of the history of salvation” that culminates in Christ.  Conversely, the mystery of Christ casts conclusive light on the mystery of creation and reveals the end for which “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”: from the beginning, God envisaged the glory of the new creation in Christ.   (CCC 280).

Nothing exists that does not owe its existence to God the Creator.  The world began when God drew it out of nothingness; all existent beings, all of nature, and all human history are rooted in this primordial event, the very genesis by which the world was constituted and time began.  (CCC 338).

An interesting treatise from St. Irenaeus in regards to heresies:  From the beginning God created man out of his own generosity.  He chose the patriarchs to give them salvation.  He took his people in hand, teaching them, unteachable as they were, to follow him.  He gave them prophets, accustoming man to bear his Spirit and to have communion with God on earth.  He who stands in need of no one gave communion with himself to those who sought to please him. Like an architect he outlined the plan of salvation to those who sought to please him.  (taken from the Office of readings for Wednesday 2nd week of Lent).

Of all the many needs and questions we may ask, the answers may be found in the reason God created everything for his Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity, Christ.  We must remember that the Creation of humanity and even the universe and everything connected with it was not a decision that God pondered over as we would establish something using a calendar and timing instruments.  He willed for creation as we know it and it was as he willed it to be.   

God created everything for man, but man in turn was created to serve and love God and to offer all creation back to him:  (CCC 358).  

What is it that is about to be created, that enjoys such honor?  It is man - that great and wonderful living creature, more precious in the eyes of God than all other creatures!  For him the heavens and the earth, the sea and all the rest of creation exist.  God attached so much importance to his salvation that he did not spare his own Son for the sake of man.  Nor does he ever cease to work, trying every possible means, until he has raised man up to himself and made him sit at his right hand.  (St. John Chrysotom).

“In reality it is only in the mystery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of man truly becomes clear.”  (CCC 359).  

St. Paul tells us that the human race takes its origin from two men:  Adam and Christ…The first man, Adam, he says became a living soul , the last Adam a life-giving spirit.  The first Adam was made by the last Adam, from whom he also received his soul, to give him life…The second Adam stamped his image on the first Adam when he created him.  That is why he took on himself the role and the name of the first Adam, in order that he might not lose what he had made in his own image.  The first Adam, the last Adam: the first had a beginning, the last knows no end.  The last Adam is indeed the first; as he himself says: “I am the first and the last.”  (St. Peter Chrysologus).

As each of us adheres to the Passion of Christ and the days remaining in Lent, the reality is on Christ for whom man was created to worship and adore.  The mystery of the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection are all for the salvation of each of us.  They all fit into one complete plan that God is giving us to fulfill the original graciousness of his desire for mankind to be with him in eternity.

Ralph B. Hathaway