The question “Who is God?” is a theological reflection and a path of personal and spiritual search that every human being undertakes in his life. For the Christian, the answer is not limited to an abstract concept but is a transformative experience that invites the person to enter into a deep relationship with the Creator, who manifests himself in his word, in creation, and, especially, in the person of Jesus Christ.
The Revelation of God: The Mystery Revealed
God, in his infinite goodness, has decided to reveal himself to human beings throughout history. This revelation is not a mere transmission of information, but an act of love. According to Christian tradition, God is not a distant being, but rather He comes closer to us in a tangible way. Through the Bible, revelation reaches its culmination in the person of Jesus Christ, who not only spoke of God but, being Himself God incarnate, showed us who the Father truly is.
The Vatican, in its teachings, emphasizes that the revelation of God is not just intellectual knowledge, but an invitation to live in communion with Him. The Trinity, that profound and mysterious union of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, speaks to us of a relational God in constant communion with Himself and humanity. God, in his essence, is not solitude, but a perpetual dance of love between the three divine persons, a love that extends to us.
A Personal God: The Experience of Divine Fatherhood
At the heart of Christianity is the affirmation that God is not an abstract force or a distant concept, but a Father who is close, loving and near to each one of us. In the Scriptures, God reveals himself as a merciful father who not only observes humanity from afar, but comes close, grieves for our sorrows and welcomes us in his love. Pope Francis has emphasized in his speeches the importance of recognizing God as a father who embraces us, calls us by name and offers us a new opportunity every day.
This close God is not indifferent to human difficulties. Jesus, as Son of God, fully lived our human condition, showing that pain, suffering and joy are part of the path of drawing closer to the Father. The relationship with God, then, is built not only in moments of prayer, but also in daily life, in the way we respond to suffering and the blessings we receive.
Divine Providence: A God Who Cares and Guides
One of the most comforting aspects of Christian doctrine is the teaching of divine providence. God did not just create the world and leave it to its fate, but is actively involved in his creation. His providence does not mean that everything is predestined, but that He accompanies us and guides us with constant love. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, in times of difficulty, we can trust that “whatever happens to those who love God works for good” (Romans 8:28). Divine providence is not limited to the answer to our prayers, but extends to the smallest details of our lives.
The fact that God cares about each one of us, from the most mundane things to the most momentous moments, calls us to greater trust and surrender. Pope John Paul II insisted that the Christian faith involves believing that, in everything we experience, God has a plan and offers us the graces necessary to fulfill it, even in adversity.
A God Who Is Found in the Everyday: The Sanctification of Life
Christianity teaches that the relationship with God is not limited to the church or formal moments of prayer, but must permeate every aspect of our daily lives. According to the principles of Opus Dei, every daily task, however simple, has the potential to become an opportunity to draw closer to God. The sanctification of work, study, rest, and human relationships becomes a means of living in harmony with God. This approach reminds us that God is not removed from the world, but inhabits it, sustains it, and accompanies it.
Pope Francis has spoken on numerous occasions of the need to see God in the ordinary, and of how every human action, when performed with love and dedication, becomes a manifestation of God’s glory. This invites us to reconsider the way we live our daily lives and to recognize that every act, however insignificant it may seem, has eternal value when offered to God.
The Unfathomable Mystery of God: A Call to Humility
Despite the revelations and personal experiences of God that we may experience, there will always remain an unfathomable mystery. As human beings, we are called to know God, but our understanding of Him will always be partial. The Christian faith, far from seeing this as a limitation, sees it as a fascinating mystery and an invitation to humility. In eternity, human beings are believed to live in full union with God, but now, in our earthly life, we are invited to approach Him with open and humble hearts.
God, in his infinite being, is much greater than any idea or image we can form. This mystery calls us to live in wonder and admiration, recognizing that the fullness of God’s revelation will be reached only in the future, when we are face to face with Him.
God, Source of Life and Meaning
Ultimately, God is the origin and the end of all existence. His revelation invites us to enter into a living relationship with Him, to know Him not only through concepts, but through a lived experience that transforms our lives. God is not an abstraction, but a real and close being who calls us to live according to His will, to encounter Him in every moment of life, and to be participants in His love and providence.
Through faith, prayer and action, Christians are called to know God in the depths of our being and to bring His presence to every corner of the world. Because ultimately, as Pope Francis reminds us, “knowledge of God is an experience of love and an invitation to be witnesses of His mercy in the world.”