Day 63: The Only Son of God

The Gospels report that at two solemn moments, the Baptism and the Transfiguration of Christ, the voice of the Father designates Jesus his "beloved Son". Jesus calls himself the "only Son of God", and by this title affirms his eternal pre-existence. He asks for faith in "the name of the only Son of God". In the centurion's exclamation before the crucified Christ, "Truly this man was the Son of God", that Christian confession is already heard. Only in the Paschal mystery can the believer give the title "Son of God" its full meaning. CCC 444

In today's reading, the Catechism speaks about Jesus not only being the Christ, but also the uniqueness of Him as the "only begotten Son of God" (Nicene Creed). It acknowledges that "[i]n the Old Testament, 'son of God' is a title given to the angels, the Chosen People, the children of Israel, and their kings" (CCC 441). Yet, when "Son of God" is applied to Jesus the title takes on a more profound and unique meaning. 

St. Peter's response to Jesus in Matthew 16:16-17 shows how "Son of God" reveals just who He is. It becomes a title with deep theological import.  The Father Himself confirms the identity of Jesus in "two solemn moments" in the Gospels: the baptism of Jesus (Matt 3:17) and His transfiguration (Matt 17:1-8). In St. John's Gospel, we see his work even begin with this divine and eternal identity spelled out to us in an almost poetic way:

In the beginning was the Word,

    and the Word was with God,

    and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things came to be through him,

    and without him nothing came to be.

What came to be through him was life,

    and this life was the light of the human race;

the light shines in the darkness,

    and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)

Because of who He is, we are called to trust Him above all else. As the Catechism Companion, Vol I notes: 

Only in the Paschal mystery can the believer give the title 'Son of God' it full meaning. After his Resurrection, Jesus' divine sonship becomes manifest in the power of his glorified humanity... The one in whom we place our faith and the one to whom we direct all of our love and all of our lives in the only Son, sent from the Father. (p. 130) 

Transfiguration of Jesus, Byzantine artwork, c. 1200