Christology Notes

* CHRISTOLOGY UNIT 3: MINISTRY OF THE INCARNATION AND THE ROLE OF MARY * * The sources of Knowledge of Jesus Christ- * Historical sources: * written by non-Christians * Tacitus * Pliny the younger * Josephus * Not interested in spreading the faith * Objective recorders of facts * * Mary Notes: * Mary, the Mother of God: * Theotokos- God bearer * Ecumenical council of Ephesus * Declared Mary the Mother of God * Greek word * “God-bearer” * often translated as “Mother of God” * Unique role she played in our salvation * Brought the presence of God into the world in a way no one else could * Because she is the mother of Jesus she is also the Mother of God * * Mary’s Role in the Incarnation: * Eternal word of God * Needed human mother
- Mary of Nazareth
Prepared from all eternity for this role
- Her willingness to say yes
Made salvation possible
“Let it be done to me according to your word”
- By the action of the Holy Spirit Father gives world gift
Emmanuel, “God is with us” * * Mary’s Immaculate Conception * Solemnity of immaculate conception * December 8 * Holy day of obligation * Catholics obliged to participate in the Eucharist * Mary was conceived without original sin * Redeemed from first moment of her life * Remained free from all personal sin throughout her life * * Mary’s Perpetual Virginity * Jesus conceived in Mary’s womb * Power of the Holy Spirit Luke 1:35 * Mary was a virgin * Remain a virgin throughout her life * A sign of her total dedication to serving God as “The handmaid of the Lord” Luke 1:38 * * Mary’s Assumption * After her death, God did not allow her body to decay * May carried the physical presence of her Son into the world in her body. * Her whole being, body and soul went into Heaven. * We celebrate with the solemnity of Assumption *