Last week we looked at the Prologue of ‘Dei Verbum’, Vatican II’s document on Divine Revelation. As well there are six chapters in the document and as usual in an official church document the paragraphs are numbered. Chapter One is entitled ‘Divine Revelation Itself’ and its paragraphs run from n.2 to n.6. Today we look at n.2 and see how the thoughts presented to us are based on Scripture and reflection on the word of God.
“It pleased God, in his goodness and wisdom, to reveal himself and to make known the mystery of his will (cf. Ephesians 1:9). His will was that people should have access to the Father, through Christ, the Word made flesh, in the Holy Spirit, and thus become sharers in the divine nature (cf. Ephesians 2:18; 2 Peter 1:4). By this revelation, then, the invisible God (cf. Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17), from the fullness of his love, addresses people as his friends (cf. Exodus 33:11; John 15: 14-15), and moves among them (cf. Baruch 3: 38), in order to invite and receive them into his own company. This economy of Revelation is realized by deeds and words, which are intrinsically bound up with each other. As a result, the works performed by God in the history of salvation show forth and bear out the doctrine and realities signified by the word; the words for their part, proclaim the works, and bring to light the mystery they contain. The most intimate truth which this revelation gives us about God and the salvation of humanity shines forth in Christ, who is himself both the mediator and the sum total of Revelation.”
This paragraph gives us the central point of what we understand by revelation — Christ is the mediator between God and us. He is the fullness of Revelation and he, the Word, through the word of scripture speaks to us. In the season of Advent we prepare for the second coming of the mediator, we prepare for the celebration of the gift of the mediator in Jesus Christ born in Bethlehem and give thanks through the season of Christmas for this great gift to us.