Youcat commented through CCC - Question n. 78 - Part III.

YOUCAT Question n. 78 - Part III. Why can we grasp Jesus only as a “mystery”?

(Youcat answer - repeated) Jesus extends into God; therefore we cannot understand him if we exclude the invisible divine reality.     

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 529) The presentation of Jesus in the temple shows him to be the firstborn Son who belongs to the Lord (Cf. Lk 2:22-39; Ex 13:2, 12-13). With Simeon and Anna, all Israel awaits its encounter with the Savior - the name given to this event in the Byzantine tradition. Jesus is recognized as the long-expected Messiah, the "light to the nations" and the "glory of Israel", but also "a sign that is spoken against". The sword of sorrow predicted for Mary announces Christ's perfect and unique oblation on the cross that will impart the salvation God had "prepared in the presence of all peoples".    

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) The visible side of Jesus points to the invisible. We see in the life of Jesus numerous realities that are powerfully present but that we can understand only as a mystery. Examples of such mysteries are the divine Sonship, the Incarnation, the Passion, and the Resurrection of Christ.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 583) Like the prophets before him Jesus expressed the deepest respect for the Temple in Jerusalem. It was in the Temple that Joseph and Mary presented him forty days after his birth (Lk 2:22-39). At the age of twelve he decided to remain in the Temple to remind his parents that he must be about his Father's business (Cf. Lk 2 46-49). He went there each year during his hidden life at least for Passover (Cf. Lk 2 41). His public ministry itself was patterned by his pilgrimages to Jerusalem for the great Jewish feasts (Cf. Jn 2:13-14; 5:1, 14; 7:1, 10, 14; 8:2; 10:22-23).    

(This question: Why can we grasp Jesus only as a “mystery”? is continued)