God reveals Himself, because He wants our good
In this ‘Light of Faith’ program, I want to reflect with you on number 50 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which teaches the following:
God comes to meet man
50. Through natural reason, man can know God, with certainty, from His works. There is, however, another order of knowledge that man can not attain by his own powers: that of Divine Revelation (22). By a totally free decision, God reveals himself and gives himself to man. He does this by revealing His mystery, His benevolent design, which he has conceived from all eternity, in Christ and for the sake of all men. It fully reveals His plan by sending His beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

Alexandre Oliveira

Credits: Wesley Almeida / cancaonova.com
This number 50 says something wonderful: God reveals Himself to man. Previously, we reflected on the ways of knowing God, which are the creation and the human person. Now the Catechism teaches us that “there is another order of knowledge which man can not attain by his own power, that of divine Revelation.”

This Divine Revelation is a free initiative from God. In John 3: 16-17 it is written, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn him, but that the world through him might be saved. ” God took the initiative for our salvation! And He does it only out of love.

The Catechism teaches that “By a totally free decision, God reveals himself and gives himself to man”. And how does He do it? The Catechism explains that God takes this initiative by revealing his mystery, his benevolent project. This benevolent word is very important. This word, in its origin in Latin, means to want the good of the other. It is not just about doing good, but about wanting the good of others. Therefore, we begin to understand that God reveals Himself, because He wants our good.

My brother and sister, God wants your good! To you, who today are suffering in a bed of pain, facing this illness, undergoing an exhausting treatment, I affirm: God wants your good. To you who are in debt, I say: God wants your good. To you who are suffering in your marriage because of a terrible betrayal, know: God wants your good. To you who suffer the pain of the loss of a loved one, I also affirm: He wants your good.
The Lord has a plan for your life, and this project is benevolent, because it has as goal, as our ultimate goal, our happiness, that is, our good.

The three trees
It is said that there were, at the top of the mountain, three small trees that dreamed what they would be after they became big ones.
The first, looking at the stars said:
“I want to be the most precious treasure chest in the world, full of treasures. For that, I even want to be cut.
The second looked at the stream and sighed:
“I want to be a great ship to carry kings and queens.”
The third tree looked at the valley and said:
“I want to stay here, high on the mountain, and grow so tall that people, looking at me, raise their eyes and think of God.

Many years passed and one day a lumberjack came and cut down the three trees. All eager to be transformed into what they dreamed. But woodcutters do not usually hear or understand dreams.
The first tree ended up being transformed into a lame animal, covered with hay.
The second, turned into a simple and small fishing boat, carrying people and fish every day.
The third, even dreaming of staying on top of the mountain, was cut into thick beams and placed in a warehouse.
All three asked themselves disillusioned and sad: “Why this?”

One night, full of light and stars, where there were a thousand melodies in the air, a young woman placed her newborn son in that lame animal. Suddenly, the first tree realized that it contained the greatest treasure that exists: the Son of God, who incarnated to save us.

The second tree, years later, ended up carrying a man who ended up sleeping in the boat, but when the storm almost sank the small boat, the man stood up and said, “Peace!” At a glance, the second tree understood that it was carrying the King of Heaven and Earth.

Some time later, on a Friday, the third tree was astonished when its beams were united in a cross and an injured man was nailed to it. Then she felt horrible and cruel. But on Sunday, the world vibrated with joy. And the third tree understood that the Savior of mankind had been preached in her, and that people would always remember God and His son Jesus Christ as they looked at her.

Like these three story trees, we also bring dreams. It is true that God has infinitely greater and better dreams for our lives. It is necessary to realize that these divine dreams are part of this benevolent project that the Lord has for each one of us, after all, God wants our good.
A big hug!
Alexandre Oliveira
Missionary of the Canção Nova Community
(22) Cf. Conc. Vatican I: DS 3015