Evidently, these texts offer us the opportunity to reflect on the progressive revelation of God. The encounter with God, the salvation of man, happens in an “incarnate” way. The Israelites “come to know God,” until they reach Jesus, the full revelation of “Abbá”…
HOLY TRINITY
Evidently, these texts offer us the opportunity to reflect on the progressive revelation of God. The encounter with God, the salvation of man, happens in an “incarnate” way. The Israelites “come to know God,” until they reach Jesus, the full revelation of “Abbá.” But this allows for another reflection, which is important for the maturation of our religious culture.
EXODUS 34, 4-9
Moses went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the Lord had commanded him, carrying in his hand the two stone tablets. The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there. And Moses pronounced the Name of the Lord. The Lord passed before him, proclaiming:
– The Lord, the Lord, a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Moses immediately bowed down to the ground and worshiped. And he said:
– If I have found favor in your sight, let my Lord go with us, even though this is a stiff-necked people; pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.
One of the most inspired passages in the book. Moses is not only a great leader and legislator. He is a profound mystic, who finds his inspiration and strength in his contact with God. He knows God; this knowledge is well expressed in this text. God “descends,” “stays with him,” though hidden in the Cloud. God defines Himself as “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Israel will be “His inheritance,” even though it is a very rebellious people.
Thus, this text presents a beautiful summary of the faith of Israel, magnificent, far superior to many other contemporary religious manifestations… and yet incomplete. It is not our faith; it is only its prehistory.
2 CORINTHIANS 13, 11-13
Rejoice, strive for perfection, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the saints greet you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always.
This is included in the readings for this feast because of the formulation: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always,” so clearly trinitarian, that we use it in our celebration of the Eucharist as the initial greeting.
José Enrique Galarreta, S.J.