"Mary, Mother of God"

Dear Parishioners,

Happy new year! And what better way to celebrate it than with the solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God? She has been given many titles, but this one really puts the focus on what is the most important, and that is… wait for it… not her! It would seem that this is a Marian feast, and it is in a way. But, the title is one of the oldest for Mary, for it was a title given her as a way to make clear the identity of Jesus.

A controversy arose in the late fourth century about the identity of Jesus. What Jesus truly the unity of God AND man (also called the “hypostatic union”), or was he two separate “persons”in one body. So in 431 AD, the Church held an Ecumenical Council, now called the Council of Ephesus, which affirmed that Jesus was truly the God-Man, one person with two natures that are indivisible.

Okay! That’s pretty geeky, and today we don’t bat an eye at this truth. But in the early Church, there were many thoughts about which proposed a way to understand who Jesus was. So, the Council condemned “Nestorianism,” as this heresy became to be known (A bishop named Nestorius proposed this idea and had many followers) affirmed that Jesus was mystically the union (they use the word, “hypostatic union”) of divinity and humanity. And since this was the case, the Council of Ephesus decided to formalized the ancient title for Mary which proclaimed this truth. Yes, she can be called Mary, mother of Jesus in his human nature, but it was also, therefore, important to make even more clear that she was, in Greek, Theotokos, which literally means, “God-bearer.” If she was not bearing God in her womb, then that would mean Jesus was not truly God incarnate, that is God-made-man.

So, if your head isn’t already spinning, just rejoice in the wisdom of the early Church which put to rest and made clear who Jesus is. It is, therefore, right and just to also call Mary the “Mother of God” since Jesus is also God. Be aware, however, that other later reformed Protestant traditions are very uncomfortable speaking about Mary in this way, since it appears to be lifting her too high, akin to a god or even higher than Jesus. Of course, this is not what this title means nor are we to elevate our Blessed Lady beyond human. But, it is right to recognize her as the singular Saint who bore God in her blessed womb. This is a good reason to celebrate this solemnity at the beginning of the year, to remind us not just of Mary’s privilege, but more importantly, from whom that privilege was given: God! God is more important! Mary even makes this clear in the Scriptures. All praise and worship be to God as we begin 2023. May God bless you and be with you in every moment of this new year!

Blessed New Year,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Image: The Madonna of the Lilies, 1899 by William Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905)

New Years & Christmas Time

Dear Parishioners,

The new year is us upon us, and it is still the Christmas season. We are still celebrating the amazing gift of Christ come in the flesh, the Incarnation. Often people take down their Christmas decorations soon after Christmas day, yet the Christmas season does not end until the celebration of the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, January 9th, 2012. That means there are 16 days of Christmas. The traditional 12 days were intended to mark the period from Christmas to Epiphany (traditionally Jan. 5th), however Epiphany is a movable feast here in the U.S. and as such is placed on the Sunday following January 6th, thus making it 16 days this year. So, you will notice our Christmas decorations in the Church will continue, and I encourage you to do the same in your homes. Pragmatism, however, may dictate taking some decorations down such as the Christmas tree. I know that mine is already getting very dry and is ready to find a new place out of the house.

The date for today's solemnity, Mary, Mother of God, concludes the octave or eight days of Christmas. We have a long tradition of celebrating large feasts with special devotion for eight days. Today, we have simplified the number of these feasts and focus on the biggest ones: Christmas and Easter. Our Jewish heritage did this same thing by extending the celebrations of their liturgical year, the "Feast of Tabernacles" and "Dedication of the Temple" are two fine examples. Constantine followed this tradition by celebrating the consecration of basilicas for eight days. This approach of emphasizing eight days helps us to meditate more, amidst all our distractions, on the mysteries being celebrated.

Whatever your plans during this Christmas season, let us all remember with devotion the reality that God emptied himself in his Son to become one like us. This gift is wondrous indeed. May you spend time pondering on this great gift to us. May the mystery of God's love in this season be poured into your heart to begin a new year full of faith and hope.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger

Pastor