Day 4 within the Octave of the Epiphany

These paragraphs teach us that we can know God with certainty from his works through natural reason, but God also freely reveals himself in a way we could never reach by our own powers. His loving plan, fulfilled in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, opens the way to the Father and makes us able to know and love God beyond our natural capacity. God reveals himself gradually through deeds and words, preparing humanity for the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. Even after the first sin, God did not abandon the human family: he promised salvation, continued his care for humanity, and made the covenant with Noah as part of his saving plan for the nations. As we reflect together, we can hold fast to the hope that God seeks to draw people to himself and gives eternal life to those who seek salvation by patience in well-doing.

In the unfolding of salvation history, God calls Abram to become Abraham, “the father of a multitude of nations,” and promises that all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him (CCC 59). Abraham’s descendants become the chosen people and trustees of God’s promise, preparing for the day when God gathers his children into the unity of the Church; the Gentiles are grafted onto this root through faith (CCC 60). The patriarchs, prophets, and certain other Old Testament figures are honored as saints in the Church’s liturgical traditions (CCC 61). God forms Israel by freeing them from slavery in Egypt, making the covenant at Sinai, and giving the law through Moses so that they may recognize and serve him as the one living and true God, provident Father, and just judge, while looking for the promised Saviour (CCC 62). Through the prophets, God teaches his people to hope for salvation, a new and everlasting covenant for all, and a redemption that includes every nation; the poor and humble bear this hope, and Mary is its purest figure (CCC 64).