St. Athanasius. source, http://www.1902encyclopedia.com
January 1 is the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. St. Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the church wrote a letter on how the Word made flesh took on human nature from Mary, his mother. St. Athanasius makes an important point concerning Jesus physical relationship to his mother, and thus to all of humanity. Here’s what he said,
“The Apostle tells us: The Word took to himself the sons of Abraham, and so had to be like his brothers in all things. He had then to take a body like ours. This explains the fact of Mary’s presence: she is to provide him with a body of his own, to be offered for our sake. Scripture records her giving birth, and says: She wrapped him in swaddling clothes. Her breasts, which fed him, were called blessed. Sacrifice was offered because the child was her firstborn. Gabriel used careful and prudent language when he announced his birth. He did not speak of “what will be born in you”to avoid the impression that a body would be introduced into her womb from outside; he spoke of “what will be born from you” so that we might know by faith that her child originated within her and from her.“
- Imagine the difference the relationship would be if Mary were simply a “surrogate mother”.
- A very holy priest explained Mary the Mother of God this way. She was the:
- Daughter of the Father
- Mother of the Son
- Spouse of the Holy Spirit.
Peace,
Deacon Tom Gotschall, The Deacon Dad at:
http://tomgotschall.wordpress.com/
https://doctorsofthechurch.wordpress.com/
Deacon Tom Gotschall on YouTube.
Doctors of the Church Daily Prescriptions 