Hey Deacon!

In one of the more recent O.C.I.A. sessions (formerly called R.C.I.A.) a question was asked about the word ‘mystery’.    Specifically, what do we Catholics mean when we implore the word ‘mystery’ to explain Catholic teachings and beliefs.
 
I want to be clear that when referencing the word ‘mystery’ it does not imply something miraculous.  There is a difference between a miracle and a mystery. A miracle is something that occurs in the natural world that cannot be explained by natural means.  A mystery is something that exists that we cannot fully comprehend.
 
For example, someone being inexplicably healed of a disease is a miracle, because although our nature can grasp what has happened, we have no natural explanation for it. The Trinity, three Persons sharing one divine nature, is a mystery, because it is a concept that is beyond our reasoning to fully grasp.
 
The confusion surrounding the word ‘mystery’ stems from its common application within modern English. Usually the word implies one of two things. Most often we think of a mystery as something that we do not now understand and that on the face of it looks perplexing and difficult but is ultimately explainable. This use of the word can be seen in the literary and entertainment genre of the murder mystery shows, movies, and books.   What seemed before to be inexplicable becomes plainly understood once all the facts are discovered and placed in proper order. 
 
Another use of the word ‘mystery’ comes into play to describe something we cannot figure out and quite possibly has no explanation, and frankly not of much interest to try to understand. As an example, someone might say: “Why is that person always so difficult to deal with?”  And the response may very well be, “I don’t know; it’s a mystery.”
 
For Christians, the word ‘mystery’ is used to explain something which we know to be true, yet, do not fully understand how it is so – a divinely revealed truth that transcends human understanding, such as the Trinity or the Eucharist. Accepting this is key to understanding why we are unsatisfied with comprehending a complex spiritual idea and how we find peace with that experience.
 
The true power of the term ‘mystery’ comes from discovering the purpose for God allowing there to be a mystery in the first place. These mysteries are not just things that are unknown but are realities infused with God's hidden presence, revealed through Jesus Christ, the Church, and the sacraments. While perplex to our human mind, these truths serve as starting points for a deeper spiritual understanding through prayer and contemplation. And while we cannot understand everything, God does allow us to understand parts of these mysteries, and in doing so, he reveals who he is and why he does what he does. 
 
Our humanity may be limited, but God’s grace and ability to illuminate our hearts and minds are not. When we encounter God’s mystery or tell others about it, we encounter God’s existence.  His love, His mercy and majesty are on full display.
Author Bio:
 Deacon Dan Vaughn