Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: he was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.
1 Timothy 3: 16
The mystery of our faith is indeed awe-inspiring. That God would become man, so that we might become one with Him. That He would pay the debt of all the sins of humanity, by shedding His innocent blood on the cross. We must ask God to forgive this debt, but all who ask may receive it. For a Jew at the time of the Apostles, St. Paul was correct; the spreading of the faith to the Gentiles must have been beyond belief. They were, as mentioned in yesterday’s reflection, looking for a Messiah to become the new King of Israel and lead them in triumph, throwing the Gentiles out of Israel. The Jewish religious leaders rejected the gospel message of God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, and salvation for all who repent, including the Gentiles. Even during this early period of spreading Christ’s message of salvation and forgiveness, Paul and all the Apostles were delighted that it was reaching throughout the world. Jesus was taken up on Ascension Thursday, and in exchange gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit. Quite a lot to comprehend in one “simple” verse.
Let us pray with St. Gregory:
And what is awe inspiring, for it is a monument
to your magnanimity: the gift of divine nature by election of your grace,
uniting us with you, Creator, by partaking of your body
and sharing in your light of life, the fulfillment of the good promise,
which, in Paul’s words, the Old Law did not have.
You, Savior, came with your Father’s bounty,
perfected and fulfilled in perpetuity
our undiminishing hope in you, Redeemer of all.
To you glory with your Father,
with praise and blessings to the Holy Spirit,
forever and ever.
Amen.
Prayer 52 C
