Dei Verbum's "Mirror"

[CastingCrown]

Wasn’t really sure what to file this question under, but this seems as good a place as any…

In “Dei Verbum” from Vatican 2, at the end of paragraph 7 it says:

“But in order to keep the Gospel forever whole and alive within the Church, the Apostles left bishops as their successors, “handing over” to them “the authority to teach in their own place.” This sacred tradition, therefore, and Sacred Scripture of both the Old and New Testaments are like a mirror in which the pilgrim Church on earth looks at God, from whom she has received everything, until she is brought finally to see Him as He is, face to face”

Could somebody please clarify for me what the document means when it says that Scripture is “like a mirror” through which the Church looks at God? Normally a mirror reflects what is looking into it, rather than something else. Is it possibly using the word to mean a “lens”?

 

[Belloc_Fan]

It’s a reference to 1 Corinthians 13:12. Read that chapter and see if it makes sense to you how Paul is using it.

 

[davidv]

Wasn’t really sure what to file this question under, but this seems as good a place as any…

In “Dei Verbum” from Vatican 2, at the end of paragraph 7 it says:

"But in order to keep the Gospel forever whole and alive within the Church, the Apostles left bishops as their successors, “handing over” to them “the authority to teach in their own place.” This sacred tradition, therefore, and Sacred Scripture of both the Old and New Testaments are like a mirror in which the pilgrim Church on earth looks at God, from whom she has received everything, until she is brought finally to see Him as He is, face to face"

Could somebody please clarify for me what the document means when it says that Scripture is “like a mirror” through which the Church looks at God? Normally a mirror reflects what is looking into it, rather than something else. Is it possibly using the word to mean a “lens”?

The explanation for mirror that I accept is this. Scripture presents the ideal, or a condemnation of sin, which forms for us the criteria to judge ourselves against. So as we look in the mirror to determine if we are phyically clean and neatly groomed, we can look into scripture and determine if we are spiritually clean and spiritually well groomed.

 

[NHInsider]

It’s a reference to 1 Corinthians 13:12. Read that chapter and see if it makes sense to you how Paul is using it.

Also helps to remember what a mirror was in Paul’s era. A dim reflection, not an exact image.

 

[JRKH]

Note that this paragraph refers to Tradition and Scripture. Thus scripture and traditin Mirror each other. Like a room with big mirrors at each end that reflecte each other endlessy into the disance, the successors of the Apostles reflect the Gospel down through the ages.

That was my first thought when I read it.

Peace
James

 

[CastingCrown]

Thanks guys. After reading this comments and pondering the context a little more (particularly Chapter 1) here’s my conclusion:

The Deposit Of Faith presents to us a reflection of both (1) ourselves and (2) of God.

(1) It shows us our own reflection, our sin, and who God has called us to be (salvation):

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do” - James 1:22-26

(2) It also gives us the clearest reflection of who God is (revelation about Himself) prior to our entrance into heaven:

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” - 1 Cor 13:12