From the very first moment of our lives we find ourselves dealing with the complex question of understanding the mystery of our existence. As adults, it would seem that children are not concerned with this problem since we see them running, jumping and playing all the time as if life were for them only just a game. And yet, children, perhaps more than anybody else want to grow in understanding, which is why we are constantly bombarded with questions about the meanings of things.
In Spanish, the term “entender” (understand) comes from two Latin words intus legere that imply the possibility that we fully understand the true depth of the meaning of things. In the course of our lives we might have attended the best universities of the world, perhaps we have accumulated several degrees, we might have read thousands of books, and yet our thirst for deciphering the mystery of life still is not quenched.
This theme has profound resonances in the Gospel. We see the disciples gathered around Jesus, like children, often begging him to explain to them the new doctrine that he is teaching by means of parables. Many of the examples look obvious to us, but the disciples did not understand them. Often, Jesus intentionally left things a little ambiguous; he knew that living problems couldn’t be solved by mathematical rules. In living, many times, two plus two equals five, or six. So complex is our living!
Before departing from this world, Jesus made a great promise to his friends, “When the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, … and he will reveal to you the things to come” (John 16:13). Now, the explanation given by the Spirit does not happen instantly, neither does he tell us everything clearly in capital letters. Certainly he could do it, but, like children, we are not able yet to comprehend the mystery of living all at once. God’s Spirit is unveiling to us the enigma of life in little bits, as we do to children. In our early years we are fascinated by stories and fables that feed our imagination and fantasy. As we grow we realize that things are different and we have to make a painful accommodation to the new reality.
In a similar way, divine revelation has been unveiled to us in little bits throughout the centuries. To the point that we could state, that today we can understand better than the apostles many aspects that passed to them in hidden mystery. Throughout times, the Spirit has revealed to us details unknown to them.
In the Church of God, we continue to grow in the understanding of the mystery of salvation by tools set close to our reaching: the faith of the people of God, theologians, saints, synods, conventions and councils.
Every now and then, new problems spring up in life. Matters to which our ancestors never paid attention; ways of living that they considered normal but today we cannot accept as such; the issue of slavery is one example, among many others. Slavery was thought to be normal in the past; today it is an abomination against human beings. As these new problems appear the first reaction is that of rejection. It is hard for humans to change their behaviors. And so, we split ourselves in factions; some remain stuck to the past; others are open to the future. In the midst of this tension, if we are patient and confront the new issue with humility, deep reflection and prayer, the Spirit of God will help us to grow in understanding and we will be able to solve the problem in question.
In a few days our Church will gather at General Convention in Columbus, Ohio. This assembly of the people of God, gathered in thought and prayer, is a suitable means to continue discovering the truth. Let’s us ask the divine Spirit to enlighten all that are gathered at convention, so that the Spirit would assist us in unveiling the whole Truth. Amen.
