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God Who Reveals Himself Is the Source of Our Faith

Catechesis by Pope John Paul II on God the Father
General Audience, Wednesday, 27 March 1985 - in Italian & Spanish

"1. Our starting point in the catechesis on God who reveals himself is still the text of the Second Vatican Council: "In his goodness and wisdom, God chose to reveal himself and to make known to us the hidden purpose of his will (cf. Eph 1:9) by which through Christ, the Word made flesh, man might in the Holy Spirit have access to the Father and come to share in the divine nature (cf. Eph 2:18; 2 Pet 1:4). Through this revelation, therefore, the invisible God (cf. Col 1:15; 1 Tim 1:17) out of the abundance of his love speaks to men as friends (cf. Ex 33:11; Jn 15:14-15) and lives among them (cf. Bar 3:38), so that he may invite and take them into fellowship with himself" (DV 2).

But we have already considered the possibility of knowing God through the capacity of human reason alone. According to the constant teaching of the Church, expressed especially in the First Vatican Council (Dogmatic Constitution Dei Filius 2) and taken up again in the Second Vatican Council (Dogmatic Constitution Dei Verbum 6), human reason has this capacity and possibility: "God, the beginning and end of all things [it says] can be known with certainty from created reality by the light of human reason (cf. Rom 1:20)." However, divine revelation is necessary "that those religious truths, which are by their nature accessible to human reason can be known by all men with ease, with solid certitude, and with no trace of error, even in the present state of the human race."

This knowledge of God through reason, which reaches him "through created things," is in keeping with man's rational nature. It is in keeping also with the original plan of God, who by endowing man with this nature intends that man be able to know him. "God, who through the Word creates all things (cf. Jn 1:3) and keeps them in existence, gives men an enduring witness to himself in created realities (cf. Rm. 1:19-20)" (DV 3). This witness is given as a gift and at the same time is left as an object for study on the part of human reason. Through the careful and persevering reading of the witness of created things, human reason is directed toward God and approaches him. This is in a certain sense the "ascending" way. Using the steps of creation, man rises toward God by reading the witness of the being, the truth, the goodness and the beauty that creatures have in themselves.

2. This way of knowledge, which in a certain sense has its origin in man and in his mind, enables the creature to ascend to the Creator. We can call it the way of "knowing." There is a second way, the way of "faith," which has its origin exclusively in God. These two ways differ from each other, but they meet in man himself and in a certain way mutually complete and help each other.

Unlike knowledge through reason, which begins in "creatures" and which only indirectly leads to God, in the knowledge that comes through faith we draw upon revelation, in which God "makes himself known" directly. God reveals himself. He allows himself to be known, manifesting "the hidden purpose of his will" (Eph 1:9). God's will is that man, by means of Christ, the Word made man, could have access to the Father in the Spirit and be made a sharer in the divine nature. God therefore reveals "himself" to man, at the same time revealing his salvific plan with regard to man. God's mysterious saving plan cannot be known by human reason alone. Even the most clever reading of the witness of God in created things is incapable of revealing to the human mind these supernatural horizons. It does not open up "the way of heavenly salvation" (as the Constitution Dei Verbum 3, expresses it), a way that is closely united to "the gift that God makes of himself" to man. In revealing himself, God himself "invites and takes man into fellowship with himself" (cf. DV 2).

3. Only by keeping these things before our eyes can we understand what faith truly is, what the content of the expression "I believe" is.

If it is precise to say that faith consists in accepting as true what God has revealed, the Second Vatican Council has aptly stressed that it is also a response of the whole person, highlighting its "existential" and "personalistic" dimension. If in fact God "reveals himself" and manifests the saving "hidden purpose of his will," it is right to show to God who reveals himself such an "obedience of faith" through which the whole person freely abandons himself to God by showing him "the full submission of intellect and will" (Vatican I), and "freely assenting to the truth revealed by him" (DV 5).

In knowing by faith, man accepts the whole supernatural and salvific content of revelation as true. But at the same time, this fact introduces him into a profound personal relationship with God who reveals himself. If the very content of revelation is the saving "self-communication" of God, then the response of faith is correct to the degree that man - accepting that salvific content as the truth - at the same time "entrusts his whole self to God." Only a complete "abandonment to God" on man's part constitutes an adequate response."


After the Catechesis, Pope John Paul II greeted the pilgrims in various languages

Ai fedeli di espressione tedesca

Liebe Brüder und Schwestern!

Mit besonderer Freude empfange ich euch in dieser Woche wiederum so zahlreich in Audienz hier in der Petersbasilika. Wie schon in den vergangenen Jahren gehört der Petersdom am Mittwoch vor der Karwoche - fast schon traditionsmäßig - den vielen Pilgern aus den Ländern deutscher Sprache. Ich danke euch für euer Kommen, das die tiefe Verbundenheit eurer Diözesen und Gemeinden mit der Ewigen Stadt und mit dem Nachfolger Petri bekundet. Herzlich grüße ich euch alle: die einzelnen Pilger und Besucher, die Familien und die genannten Gruppen; unter diesen besonders den großen Münsteraner Diözesanpilgerzug mit Gläubigen aus Gescher anläßlich des tausendjährigen Bestehens ihrer Pfarrei Sankt Pankratius. Euch allen erbitte ich aus der Begegnung mit den Heiligen Stätten hier im Zentrum der katholischen Christenheit neue Glaubenskraft und Entschlossenheit, euch auch in den vielfältigen Aufgaben und Pflichten des Alltags als wahre Christen zu erweisen. Wer die Fastenzeit mit Ernst und Besinnung verlebt, wird auch der Freude des Osterfestes voll teilhaftig werden können.

In Fortsetzung unserer wöchentlichen Ausführungen über die katechetische Glaubensunterweisung möchte ich eure Aufmerksamkeit heute besonders auf die Frage nach der Erkenntnis Gottes lenken. Es ist die beständige Lehre der Kirche, daß wir Gott nicht nur auf Grund der Offenbarung kennen. Das II. Vatikanische Konzil bekennt feierlich, ”daß Gott, aller Dinge Ursprung und Ziel, mit dem natürlichen Licht der menschlichen Vernunft aus den geschaffenen Dingen sicher erkannt werden kann“ (Dei Verbum, 6). Diese sogenannte natürliche Gotteserkenntnis aus der Schöpfung entspricht der geistbegabten Natur des Menschen. Diese befähigt ihn, von den geschaffenen Dingen auf deren Urheber, vom Geschöpf auf den Schöpfer zu schließen und dadurch nicht nur die Existenz Gottes, sondern auch gewisse Eigenschaften seines Wesens zu erkennen. Dies ist der ”aufsteigende“ Weg der Gotteserkenntnis, der Weg des ”Wissens“, der beim Menschen beginnt. Daneben gibt es einen zweiten Weg, den Weg des ”Glaubens“, der ausschließlich ”von oben“, von Gott seinen Ausgang nimmt. Gemeine ist die Erkenntnis Gottes durch die Offenbarung. Gott hat sich neben dem indirekten Weg über die Schöpfung dem Menschen auch auf direkte Weise mitgeteilt. Er hat ihnen sich selbst eröffnet und der Menschheit ”das Geheimnis seines Wissens“ kundgetan (Eph. 1, 9), nämlich seinen Entschluß, den Menschen durch Christus zu erlösen und ihn im Heiligen Geist der göttlichen Natur teilhaftig zu machen. Das Wissen um diesen ewigen Heilsratschluß Gottes kann uns keine menschliche Vernunft vermitteln; wir erhalten es allein durch Gottes eigene Mitteilung und durch unsere gläubige Annahme. Im Glauben nehmen wir als wahr entgegen, was Gott uns offenbart. Beide Wege, der Weg des ”Wissens“ und der Weg des ”Glaubens“, ergänzen sich gegenseitig trotz ihrer grundlegenden Verschiedenheit. Offenbarung besagt jedoch nicht nur Mitteilung neuer, uns bisher unbekannter Wahrheiten, sondern ist vor allem Selbstmitteilung Gottes an uns. Deshalb ist der Glaube auch nicht nur ein abstraktes ”Für-wahr-halten“, sondern erfordert zutiefst unsere persönliche Hingabe an Gott. Durch den Glauben treten wir zu Gott in ein tiefes persönliches Verhältnis, in eine innige Lebensgemeinschaft mit ihm.

Ich erbitte euch, liebe Brüder und Schwestern, als Gnade eurer Rompilgerfahrt einen solch tiefen und lebendigen Glauben als eure ganz persönliche Antwort auf Gottes unendliche Güte und Liebe zu uns in Jesus Christus. Von Herzen erteile ich euch und euren Lieben in der Heimat für reiche österliche Gnaden meinen besonderen Apostolischen Segen. Euch allen ein frohes und gesegnetes Osterfest!

Ai fedeli di lingua francese

Chers Frères et Sœurs,

Je salue avec joie tous les pèlerins présents à cette audience, entre autres les groupes diocésains et paroissiaux, les groupes de collégiens en vacances, les personnes du troisième âge de France et du Canada. Je souhaite à tous de bien revivre avec le Christ ces grands moments de la Passion et de la Résurrection.

* * *

J’ai noté la présence des grands et jeunes acolytes des diocèses de Reims, Avignon, Albi, avec Monseigneur Lacrampe. Je vous encourage vivement, chers amis, dans ce service liturgique: il contribue beaucoup à rendre le culte plus festif, plus digne; il aide le peuple chrétien à mieux prier, à mieux accueillir le Christ; il seconde le prêtre dans sa fonction sacrée. Et votre mouvement de clercs vous permet à vous-mêmes de nouer avec le Christ et son Eglise des liens plus forts, qui vous disposent à mieux répondre aux services auxquels le Seigneur peut vous appeler. A tous, de grande cœur, ma Bénédiction Apostolique.

Ai fedeli di lingua inglese

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we rapidly approach the beginning of Holy Week, I welcome all the individuals, families, students and other groups who have come from England and the United States, as well as an international group of Sisters of Notre Dame. I extend special good wishes to the group of United States’ officers serving with NATO.

* * *

I am particularly pleased to welcome the group from the American television network NBC, which will be broadcasting directly to the United States from the Vatican during Holy Week. It is my hope that your work will bear much spiritual fruit during this holy season, when Christians all over the world celebrate the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through you I send warm and cordial greetings to all the people of America.

Ai pellegrini di espressione spagnola

Queridos hermanos y hermanas,

Quiero en esta mañana saludar con particular afecto a los estudiantes de diversas ciudades de España que son los más numerosos entre los hispanohablantes en esta Audiencia. En especial a los procedentes de Madrid, Cartagena, Murcia, Barcelona, Lérida, Reus y Valladolid. También a las familias españolas residentes en Alemania y al grupo de peregrinos de Guatemala. A todos quiero alentaros a vivir con profundo sentido de fe el misterio de gracia de las próximas celebraciones de la Pasión y Resurrección del Señor.

A todos los peregrinos procedentes de España y de los diversos Países de América Latina imparto de corazón mi Bendición Apostólica.

Ai pellegrini croati

Sia lodato Gesù e Maria!

Saluto di cuore voi, cari giovani, provenienti dalla Missione croata di Colonia. Siete venuti a Roma per l’incontro internazionale dei giovani con il Santo Padre: avete portato con voi la croce di Višeslav e l’immagine della Vergine Maria. A voi, cari giovani, affido la croce di Cristo. Portatela nel mondo come segno del suo amore verso gli uomini. Amate Maria, vostra madre celeste, che tanto vi ama. Annunziate a tutti che la salvezza viene tramite la croce di Cristo, con la materna intercessione della Madonna.

Il Papa imparte di cuore a voi e ai vostri genitori, che vivete lontani dalla patria, la sua benedizione apostolica.

Ai polacchi

Serdecznie witam Księży Biskupów z Polski: Księdza Biskupa sandomiersko-radomskiego oraz Księdza Biskupa sufragana z Tarnowa. Witam wszystkich pielgrzymów, zwłaszcza grupę młodzieży polskiej na Rok Młodzieży; pielgrzymkę z parafii Kraków-Łagiewniki; z parafii pallotyńskiej w Zakopanem; pielgrzymkę redaktorów “Tygodnika Powszechnego” oraz ich rodzin z okazji czterdziestolecia pisma; pielgrzymkę parafii św. Antoniego z Wrocławia; pielgrzymkę Ślązaków z Aachen w Niemczech; pielgrzymów indywidualnych oraz uczestników grup turystycznych PTTK, “Sport-Tourist”, “Orbis” i “Turysta”, zwłaszcza z Warszawy i Gdańska. Korzystając z okazji, pragnę jeszcze raz pogratulować przedstawicielom “Tygodnika Powszechnego” z panem redaktorem Jerzym Turowiczem na czele ich czterdziestolecia. Pragnę powitać młodych uczestników spotkania sobotniego i niedzielnego, które ma wymiar ogólnokościelny, pragnę wreszcie pozdrowić wszystkich obecnych rodaków z Ojczyzny i emigracji, przekazując za waszym pośrednictwem życzenia wielkanocne dla wszystkich rodaków zarówno w Polsce, jak i poza Polską. Niech Chrystus Zmartwychwstały daje nam wiarę, nadzieję i miłość, niech daje nam duchową siłę do przetrwania wszystkich prób.

Agli ammalati

Il mio saluto anche a voi, carissimi fratelli ammalati. La liturgia della Settimana santa, ornai imminente, ci invita a posare lo sguardo su Gesù crocifisso per poter comprendere pienamente l’intensità e il significato delle sue sofferenze. Nel vostro dolore e nelle vostre sofferenze meditate Gesù crocifisso affinché, da lui illuminati, possiate capire che ogni sofferenza umana ha in sé un grande valore, se vissuta alla luce della fede e dell’insegnamento del Redentore. Dal crocifisso attingete la forza per non scoraggiarvi nella malattia. Gesù stesso vi dia la serenità nella consapevolezza che il dolore è partecipazione alla redenzione e quindi fonte di gioia e di grazia per voi e per tutta la Chiesa.

Vi benedico di cuore.

Agli sposi novelli

Saluto infine gli sposi novelli. Carissimi, con il sacramento del Matrimonio, ricevuto recentemente, avete posto un segno per poter indicare la vostra responsabile e generosa risposta, il vostro sì, al Signore che vi ha chiamati alla duplice, grande e nobile missione di amore e di vita, che realizzerete in coppia nella vostra nuova famiglia cristiana. Come la primavera porta nella natura un risveglio di vita, che si manifesta attraverso i fiori e i frutti, così la vostra comunità familiare segni nella Chiesa e nella società una primavera di fede con fiori di un amore autentico e frutti di nuove vite. Vi sorregga sempre la grazia ricevuta nel Sacramento, che renderete operante con la vostra opera personale; per questo vi esorto a pregare insieme e frequentare i sacramenti.

Ripongo in voi la mia personale fiducia, vi auguro ogni bene e vi benedico di cuore.

Ai giovani

Come sempre, desidero rivolgermi ai giovani, nella gioiosa attesa dell’incontro di sabato e domenica prossima con tutti quelli che verranno da ogni parte del mondo, in occasione dell’Anno internazionale della gioventù.

Carissimi, siamo ormai al termine del cammino quaresimale, tempo di particolare impegno di preghiera, di penitenza e di conversione, per essere veramente nuovi nel cuore e nello spirito. Domenica la liturgia ci farà rivivere l’ingresso trionfale di Gesù in Gerusalemme, accompagnato da uno stuolo di giovani festanti. Anche nella prossima domenica delle Palme i giovani saranno i protagonisti attorno al Signore nell’incontro caratterizzato dalla preghiera e dal sacrificio personale, a cui esorto anche voi, affinché esso sia segno di vita nuova nella Chiesa e nel mondo. Durante le vacanze pasquali, che inizieranno tra pochi giorni, vi invito a prendere parte alle sacre funzioni della Settimana santa, per rivivere la passione di Cristo e comprendere meglio quanto è grande l’amore del Signore ed essere così più disponibili all’aiuto fraterno, affinché la vostra carità diventi sempre più concreta e generosa.

Vi benedico di cuore.

La Preghiera per la pace
nei Paesi sconvolti dalla violenza

Vi invito ora a unirvi alla mia preghiera per tutti coloro che sono stati colpiti nei dolorosi avvenimenti, dei quali in questi giorni è giunta notizia.

In particolare desidero ricordare le numerose vittime dei gravi disordini registratisi in Sudafrica, dove la violenza si è scatenata ancora una volta per le note tensioni sociali che esistono nel Paese.

In Iran e in Iraq, dopo appena ventiquattro ore di tregua sono ripresi con più intensa gravità i bombardamenti, senza risparmio degli obiettivi civili e dei centri urbani, causando un gran numero di vittime innocenti e nuove distruzioni.

Preghiamo perché il Signore conceda la pace alle vittime e conforto alle loro famiglie e ispiri i responsabili di questi popoli così provati a trovare le vie appropriate per porre termine a così inutili sofferenze.

 

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