As we approach the Mission of Jesus let us not forget his Incarnation

As we approach the Mission of Jesus let us not forget his Incarnation

This theological premise of what occurred in the womb of Mary is perhaps the most profound placement of the Son of God who left his divine position to assume a nature that is like us.  No human could establish a scenario like this without becoming divine as well.  

When the creatures God Created were like children and were stubborn at listening to simple commands must respect the very suggestive rules coming from a father who is just love.  The Lord gave man this order: “You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and bad.  From that tree you shall not eat; the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die.”  (Gn 2: 16 - 17).  

Of course a father would never submit such a rule on his children, but sometimes the restrictions we seem to hear appear just as commanding.  At least when we speak of the Ten Commandments handed to Moses on Mt. Horeb, the results of breaking them might also place fear into our hearts and many do follow these commands to keep honest our agreements with God.  But, like Eve then Adam there are a few who decide these rules interfere with free will and since that is a gift from God let him figure it out.  (see Dt 5: 6 - 21).

To take on a human nature along with his divine nature could create a problem where some heretics claimed the two natures were never in sync with each other.  To some self-imposed theologians that made sense.  But the truth be known that both natures were always working in tandem and never was one active while the other was dormant.  (CCC 475).    

The unique and altogether singular event of the Incarnation of the Son of God does not mean that Jesus Christ is part God and part man, nor does it imply that he is the result of a confused mixture of the divine and the human.  He became truly man while remaining truly God.  Jesus Christ is true God and true man.  During the first centuries, the Church had to defend and clarify this truth of faith against the heresies that falsified it.  (CCC 464).

In order for Christ to assume humanity his Incarnation had to take place in the womb of a perfect vessel; a Virgin who was Immaculate from her conception.  Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, “full of grace” through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception.  That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses , as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1854:  (CCC 491).  The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by the virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.  (Pius IX).

Both documents from the Catechism of the Catholic Church not only confirm these truths but are dogmatic in their proclamation;  the Incarnation and the Immaculate Conception.  No one may in good faith deny either one and must hold to the truth that has never waned from this teaching.

Ralph B. Hathaway