Mystery of faith
Bar 5:1-9; Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6.; Phil 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk 3:1-6
Scripture consistently encourages us to search for and learn about God. Yet, when we ask difficult questions about God or our faith, we may sometimes hear a response like, “It is just a mystery.” This type of answer can feel dismissive.
Sometimes this response is given because one is trying to avoid discussing a difficult topic and thinks they can hide behind the word “mystery.” However, the idea that “mystery” refers to something one can never understand, and thus should not try to understand, does not reflect what mystery means in our Christian faith.
The word “mystery,” as it relates to our faith, signifies something we can never stop learning about. To say, “God is a mystery,” simply means that we can never stop learning about God. The term “mystery” should not be used to shut down our curious minds and hearts. Instead, it should encourage us to think and ask questions so that we can continue to grow in love for and understanding of God.
Both the Old and New Testaments affirm the importance of studying so that we continue to grow as human beings throughout life. The Psalms tell of the necessity to meditate upon God’s teaching or “torah” (Psalm 1). The book of Proverbs encourages us to look to the created world in order to gain insight into God and our own human experiences (30:16-33).
The letter to the Philippians in today’s readings demonstrates that we are expected to grow in knowledge and love, which is perhaps the greatest path to God (Phil 1:9; Eph 3:17-19). Fortunately, this task is not a one-person job. We are called to learn about and grow closer to God, but God will also continue to help us.
In the book of Proverbs, we see God’s wisdom personified as Woman Wisdom. She calls out to those who seek her (Prv 8), inviting them to a banquet (Prv 9: 1-6). Wisdom is always available to those who choose to do the work to find her and learn from her. It is a lifelong process, but it is worth the effort.
In today’s readings we hear twice that God will make mountains low and fill valleys to help us remain close to God and grow in faith. In Baruch, God clears the path so that those who were exiled can return to Jerusalem, where they can grow in God’s glory along with their community (5:7). In the Gospel of Luke (Lk 4-6) we are told that God will lower mountains and fill valleys so that Jesus will have a clear path to walk among us. God will always reach out and create pathways for us.
In the Roman Catholic tradition, we hold that God teaches and speaks to us not only through Scripture but also in the sacraments and the writings of the magisterium. Tradition also affirms that we can learn about God through the created world: nature, animals and human beings.
As God sent the prophets of the Old Testament and John the Baptist in the New Testament, God sends people today to help us grow in our faith and teach us about God in various ways.
We ourselves can also be sent as teachers or guides, whether we realize it or not. Pope Francis has said that faith is a journey to be walked with others in community. Perhaps this Advent we can take some time to remember and give thanks for those in our lives who have helped us probe the mysteries of our faith.
May we journey with confidence, knowing that God will lower mountains and fill valleys to keep us close.