How does God reveal to us what God wants us to know? Basically there are five ways of God’s revelation.

The most common way is through scripture. At every Mass God is telling us something about God through the readings that we hear. All of scripture is the Word of God. As Catholics we also believe that God has revealed certain teachings for the Church through the magisterium (consisting of the Pope and the bishops who teach with him). These teachings become the dogma of the Church. An example would be the beliefs we have as Catholics about the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A second way of God’s revelation is the events of history. Whether the event is the Exodus of the Jews from slavery or the career of Paul, God is saying something to us through these events. With the example of the Exodus of the Jews, God is revealing to us the care God has for His people and how what may seem as insurmountable obstacles can be overcome by God (through the parting of the Red Sea).

A third revelation is what is known as inner experience. This means that God reveals certain truths as one is praying alone. God will put ideas on one’s heart as to what course of action one needs to take or say something audibly (as in the case of Samuel in the Old Testament). Every time we are truly in prayer God reveals something to us.

The fourth type of revelation is what God is telling us through Jesus Christ. Jesus was sent by God to be the ultimate role model as to how God wants us to lead our lives. Through Jesus, God reveals to us the love God has for each one of us. Our response to Jesus is ultimately our response to God in our lives.

A fifth revelation is known as being more aware. We are always trying to improve ourselves and trying to expand our knowledge. God reveals wisdom to us that we can use to better our lives and better the lives of others.

The more we know about God, the more we know about ourselves. God reveals certain truths to us to help us to be better people. Hopefully these revelations by God are studied and then acted upon to benefit all of God’s people.

Deacon John Stodola