Passing on the Faith by Jorge Mario Bergoglio

THE EPIPHANY OF GOD in Christ did not end with the earthly existence of Jesus. The revelation of God's gift has been transmitted "from faith in faith" throughout history by all those who assumed it into their own lives by becoming disciples of Jesus and apostles for others. Paul speaks of this transmission from generation to generation when writing to Timothy: "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you" (2 Tim 1: 5). Similarly, in our own day, we can speak of the faith of our ancestors, recalling the men and women who were the instruments God used to manifest his grace toward us. We can also look into the future and envision our own spiritual descendants, those who will receive our mission and our testimony about this revelation.

EACH ONE OF US can say with Paul, "God was pleased to reveal his Son to me" (Gal 1: 15-16), for we have received the revelation of God's glory in Christ (cf. John 21: 1). Speaking mystically, we can also say that we have seen the risen Lord in our lives (cf. 1 Cor 9: 1; 15: 8, 11). We are blessed because we have believed even without seeing him physically. As disciples, we are made participants in the mystery of Christ, who was not made known to earlier generations but "has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (Eph 3: 4-5). Saint Paul bids us give glory "to God who is able to strengthen us according to the gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith" (Rom 16: 25-27).