Ch. 3: The Incarnation
The major line that stood out to me was: "But love does such things!" The Incarnation is a deep mystery, not only because all divinely-rooted mysteries have infinite depth. The heart of this mystery is the very heart of God. Out of all the ways that the Father could've offered salvation to humanity... why this? Love!
"See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God" (1 John 3:1)
"God so loved the world that He gave His only Son..." (John 3:16)
"Who shall separate us from the love of God?" (Rom 8:35) (answer: NOBODY!)
"And above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." (Col 3:12-15)
I liked Guardini's line, "When it is the depth and power of God that stirs, is there anything of which love is capable?" (pg. 15) I think of Paul's conversion. A Pharisee who was so convinced of the truth of his own faith and of how false Christianity was! Another example is how the Church began with some scared disciples in Jerusalem. Add the Holy Spirit, stir, and a missionary explosion. Countless saved souls, martyrs, saints!
Love just does those things.
This chapter was a difficult one for me. The author presented a very theological "definition" of the Incarnation. I guess it was difficult for me because the concept of the Incarnation is beyond our human understanding. It truly is a mystery. John, your notes are spot on. In my opinion, there is no way we can understand why God did what he did. It was love! Pure and simple, love. When I read the scriptures about Jesus and the Acts of the Apostles, I marvel at what love can do. As you said, add the Holy Spirit and countless saved souls, martyrs and saints!
ReplyDeletethe chapter was more heady than ones before, I'd agree. It's hard to delve into such a mystery. One of the things that helped me with the Incarnation so much was a book I read last year by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa on the Transfiguration. It touched on the Christological developments of the early Church... they had a lot to figure out. Although the book wasn't about the Incarnation per se, it's part of the conversation still. In a stunning manner given Who He Is, Jesus obeyed the limits of human nature. The reason why goes straight back to love.
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