The Mystery of God - Part 2

The Mystery of God – Part 2

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

         In part 1 of this article we shed light on the mystery of God in the Jewish Testament.  In part 2 we will shed light on the Gospel passages on God.

         Heading into the Gospel of John, we see in the first verse the following: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word is God.”  This one verse implies Fatherhood and Son ship along with the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Gospel of Luke who over shadowed Mary to facilitate the human birth of Jesus.  This is the “Us” of the book of Genesis.  Notice that I stated “the human birth of Jesus”, the Father, the Word who is Jesus, and the love between them, “The Holy Spirit” had no beginning, is now, and will continue to exist for all eternity.  Jesus actually proclaimed to his disciples that He and the Father are one.  As the Nicene Creed states Jesus is consubstantial with the Father.  Jesus is more than just a prophet as some religions claim.  He is the only Son of God, Emanuel, which means God with us.  He is with us always.  The Holy Spirit was declared consubstantial with the Father at the Council of Florence about one thousand years later.

         Another encounter in the Christian Testament can be found at the baptism of Our Lord by his cousin, John the Baptist.  Once baptized by John, the Father’s voice was heard from heaven, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”.  Also at that moment a Dove descended from the clouds.  This Dove represents the Holy Spirit, the love between the Father and his son Jesus.  As I stated in Part 1 of this article, the Father sent down his love on the wings of a dove.  Thinking also about the Transfiguration, the three disciples heard the Father’s voice when the Father said that Jesus is his beloved Son and to listen to him.  We are adopted sons of the Father through Baptism.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear the Father’s voice echoing that same message about ourselves?

Knowing that He was about to be crucified after the Last Supper on the next day, Jesus gave his disciples the power to change bread and wine into his own body, blood, soul, and divinity.  How do I know this?  He said the words, “Do this in remembrance of Me.”  Let’s get one thing straight here.  Jesus did not say that they were symbols of his body and blood.  This is the real true presence of Our Lord.  I do not think any of us will comprehend the Mystery of the True Presence until we see God face to face.  BUT, WE MUST BELIEVE IT.  This is one of the major proofs that Jesus is with us now and will be with us until the end of time.

         At the last supper, Jesus told his disciples that he was going to the Father and that he would send the paraclete (Holy Spirit) to teach and remind them of all that he taught while He was with them and to further instruct them on the ways of God.  After his passing and resurrection and just before his ascension, He told his disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they are clothed with power from On High.  Before he ascended, He blessed them and instructed them to preach the Gospel or Good News to the entire world.

         In Part 3 we will examine what happened after Jesus ascended to the Father.

         Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe.  Deo Gratias.  Praise be to God.  See you in Paradise.