The World's Greatest Secret

We Christians are privy to the world’s greatest secret – a “secret that for ages past was kept hidden in God” (Eph 3:9). Paul tells the Colossians that “this secret which has been kept hidden for ages and generations is now disclosed to the saints [believers]” (Col 1:26), but he reminds the Romans that it was veiled in prophecies of ages past (see Romans 1:2, 16:26). To the Corinthians he describes it as a “secret wisdom – a wisdom that God destined for our glory before time began and has now revealed to us by his Spirit” (1 Cor 2:7-10).

Peter remarks that even prophets and angels longed to fathom the secret things of God but were not given this privilege (see 1 Peter 1:10-12). And Jesus himself also highlights the same point – that this privileged information has now been revealed to us: “Many prophets and kings wanted to hear what you hear and did not hear it” (Lk 10:24).

But what, precisely, is this great secret of which Paul exults in being the emissary (see Ephesians 3:9)? He summarizes it in three words: “Christ in you” (Col 1:27). Simple words, but so pregnant with meaning that it will take us all eternity to fathom their spiritual significance! Perhaps this is why Paul adds a descriptive phrase as sort of epilogue to his three-word secret: “the hope of glory.”

In view of the awesome privilege that is ours in being privy to this now-revealed secret, a somewhat disturbing question arises: Are we “sober” enough – that is, spiritually sensitive enough – to be impacted by this simple yet profound reality? The question itself is sobering.

Jesus said that the world at large lacks this required spiritual sensitivity, “neither seeing nor knowing” (Jn 14:17). All three synoptic gospels show him quoting Isaiah about those who are “ever hearing, but never understanding…ever seeing, but never perceiving” (Is 6:9; see also Matthew 13:13, Mark 4-12, Luke 8:10).

But although the riches of Christ are unsearchable, Paul assures us that for those who have eyes to see, this manifold wisdom can be known through the Church. Not only that, Paul explains in the same passage: part of the mystery consists in the fact that even the great spiritual powers in the heavenly realms can attain this insight only through the Church on earth (see Ephesians 3:8-10). Isn’t it staggering? The Church is a mirror through which angelic entities see the glory of God – besides what they see directly In the beatific vision of heaven itself. That’s why Peter says, “Angels long to look into these things” (1 Pt 1:12). The spiritual maturity of church members on earth – of you and me – will determine how the wisdom of God is portrayed to these heavenly powers. No wonder Paul goes on to urge us to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Eph 4:1)!

Of course, only spiritually mature souls are given deep insight into this secret of “Christ in us.” “The Lord takes the upright into his confidence” (Prv 3:32). “He confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them” (Ps 25:14). To such people “he reveals deep and hidden things” (Dn 2:22,28).

To really  know the Christ in us, we must first have the Spirit of Christ in us. On this subject, Paul uses strong words: "If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ in him, he does not belong to Christ” (Rom 8:9). Also, we must always be ready to obey God’s will. “Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” Jude asked at the Last Supper (Jn 14:22). Jesus replied that loving obedience to his will (his teachings) would make the difference. This is what Moses had received and handed on as the norm for grasping God’s secret revelation: “The secret things revealed belong to those who obey all the words of his law” (Dt 29:29).

Most Christians “know” the simple fact that Christ abides in them. For many, though, it is only a theological or catechetical type of knowing, a cerebral knowledge that remains merely academic. But this truth calls for a deep, experiential type of knowing – a heart knowledge which is a life-changing, transforming, truly privileged insight. Scripture refers to this insight so often – for example, in Paul’s famous prayer:

"I pray that….through his Spirit…Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted…in love, may have power…to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know [experience] this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."          Ephesians 3:14-19

“All the fullness of God” – what superlatives this phrase expresses! How can mere mortals grasp such a concept? It would be like trying to drink the oceans dry. No wonder heaven has to be eternal; we cannot exhaust the infinitude of God. Yet, amazingly, we partake of this abundance; “of his fullness we have all received one blessing after another” (Jn 1:16). But there is more. Since the “fullness of God dwells in Christ” (Col 1:19-2:9), then it can be said that with Christ in us, our humanity becomes a tabernacle for God’s divinity. Paul wanted Christ to be “exalted” in his body, adding with profound mystical insight, “For me, to live is Christ” (Phil 1:21). In some mysterious way, we too are called to become “incarnational” or “Christlike” in every aspect of our lives. How deeply we perceive this mystery or secret will be proportionate to how closely we replicate the holiness of the divine Lord within us.

This excerpt is from the book The Art of Loving God by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications, 1995. This and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.