DIVINE REVELATION PART 1 (LENTEN REFLECTIONS)

The Word of God says,”Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the fool is next to confusion” (Proverbs 10:14). An intelligent person ponders. “What is the truth? What is God’s Will for us? What is God’s plan for us? Did God tell this to us? How did he inform us regarding this matter?”
God’s Word revealed to us, “If any man speak, let him speak, as the words of God.” (1 Pet.4:11) And this Word of God is in the Bible and in Sacred Tradition. “Now all the doctrines in which the faithful are to be instructed are contained in the WORD OF GOD, which is found in SCRIPTURE AND TRADITION.” (The Catechism of the Council of Trent translated and prefaced by John A. McHugh, O.P. and Charles J. Callan, O.P. (circa 1923), Imprimatur: Patricius J. Hyes, Archiepiscopus Neo-Eboracensis, Neo-Eboraci, die 3 Januarii, 1923, p. 8) If we want to preach, we should be well-equipped with supporting evidences and references especially from the verse of the Sacred Scriptures and from teachings handed down to us through Tradition. We need evidences, supporting documents or references and arguments to prove our claims so that truth may prevail beyond reasonable doubt.

What is Divine Revelation?

Divine Revelation is God’s disclosure about His Will and Truths to mankind.

We need to know Divine Truths to assure that what we preach is really the truth and not half-truth for half-truths are not truths but mere lies. “But God is true” (Rom.3:4). Our Lord Jesus said, “Sanctify them in truth. Thy word is truth.” (St. John 17:17). St. Paul wrote, “They receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. “ (2 Thes.2:10) He warned, “Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine. For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables.” (2 Tim.4:3-4). If people will not listen to Divine Truth, God shall punish them. “They receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Therefore God shall send them the operation of error, to believe lying: [11] That all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have consented to iniquity. But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved of God, for that God hath chosen you firstfruits unto salvation, in sanctification of the spirit, and FAITH OF THE TRUTH” .(2 Thes.2:10-12)

• ETYMOLOGY:

The word “revelation” was derived from its root word “reveal”. “Reveal” came from the Latin words “re”(back) + velare (unveil). It was first used in the late Middle English: from Old French reveler or Latin revelare, from re- ‘again’ (expressing reversal) + velum ‘veil.’

To reveal means to “make (previously unknown or secret information) known to others.”

• DEFINITION:

What is Revelation?

Revelation is the “disclosure of God by himself and His will to the human race.” (Catholic Pocket Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J., p. 370-371).

Who revealed Himself and His Will to mankind??

God revealed himself.

Where did God revealed Himself?

He revealed Himself to mankind on earth. “God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, In these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world.” (Heb.1:1-2)

When did He reveal Himself?

He revealed Himself since the time of our first parents: Adam and Eve. He also revealed Himself to Moses and the Prophets, then to the Apostles. God Himself taught them. “It is written in the prophets: And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard of the Father, and hath learned, cometh to me.” (Jn.6:45)

When was Divine Revelation completed?

“Divine Revelation was completed at the death of the last of the Apostles.” (My Catholic Faith by Bishop Louise LaRavoire Morrow, STD, p. 15). “He (St. John) died at the age of about 100 years, the last of the Apostles, and the only one who did not die a martyr’s death.” (ibid., 97). ”St. John departed from this life at Ephesus in 101 A.D.” (The New Marian Missal by Sylvester P. Juergens, S.M., Doctor of Theology, p.94).

Revelation is the act of unveiling something previously hidden.

What was previously hidden by God?

The Divine Will and Divine Truths was previously hidden by God. It was due to the Original Sin of Adam and Eve. When our fist parents committed the first sin, God closed Paradise for them. His Will, His Truths and His Plan was hidden from them. It was this Original Sin that made us apart from the Divine Will, Truths and Plans of God. “For all have sinned, and do need the glory of God.” (Rm.3:23).

Why did God revealed His Will, Truths and Plans to man?

He revealed them so that we will know the Truth and be saved because God loves us so much. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (Jn.8:32)

“For what things soever were written, were written for our learning: that through patience and the comfort of the scriptures, we might have hope.” (Rm.15:4).

Truth can save us. (2 Tes.2:10).

Why God wants us to know the Truth?

He wanted us to know the Truth so that we will be saved. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim.2:3-4)

Why did God wants to save us?

God wants to save us because He loves us so much. “The Lord hath appeared from afar to me. Yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore have I drawn thee, taking pity on thee.” (Jer.31:3).“ The Lord hath appeared from afar to me. Yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore have I drawn thee, taking pity on thee.” (Jn.3:16)

Now, what shall we do to reciprocate that Divine Love??

We should exert efforts to know His Divine Will, His Truths and His Plans for us. “See therefore, brethren, how you walk circumspectly: not as unwise, But as wise: redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore become not unwise, but understanding what is the will of God.” (Ef.5:15-17) “SEARCH YE DILIGENTLY IN THE BOOK OF THE LORD, and read: not one of them was wanting, one hath not sought for the other: for that which proceedeth out of my mouth, he hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.” (Is.34:16) “For WHAT THINGS SOEVER WERE WRITTEN, were written FOR OUR LEARNING: THAT THROUGH PATIENCE AND THE COMFORT OF THE SCRIPTURES, WE MIGHT HAVE HOPE.” (Rm.15:4).

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Sources:

(1) Google Source
(2) The Catechism of the Council of Trent translated and prefaced by John A. McHugh, O.P. and Charles J. Callan, O.P. (circa 1923), p.8
(3) All Biblical references taken from Douay-Rheims Bible
(4) Catholic Pocket Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J., p. 370-371
(5) My Catholic Faith by Bishop Louise LaRavoire Morrow, STD, p. 15
(6) The New Marian Missal by Sylvester P. Juergens, S.M., Doctor of Theology, p.94
(7) Picture of Jesus taken from the Movie “Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson, © 2004 Icon Distribution Incorporated