Master·evangeli.net
Today's Gospel + short theological explanation
January 1st: The Octave Day of Christmas, Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
Holy Mary, Mother of God ("Theotókos")
EDITORIAL TEAM evangeli.net (based on texts by Benedict XVI) (Città del Vaticano, Vatican)Today, when Mary has given birth to Jesus, the time of the promises is fulfilled. The Messiah’s arrival announced by the prophets is qualitatively the most important event in all History, to which it brings the final and most complete meaning. He did not enter into time coming from the heights but "from within". This is "God’s style"!
Mary’s maternity is truly and fully human. The sentence "God sent forth his Son, born of a woman" (Gal 4:4) resumes the fundamental truth about Jesus as a divine Person, who fully assumed our human nature. He is the Son of God and at the same time the son of a woman: Mary. He comes from her. He is of God and of Mary. That’s why Jesus’ mother can and should be called Mother of God "Theotókos" (Council of Ephesus, A.D. 431).
—Each time we pray the "Hail Mary" we turn to the Virgin with this title, begging her to pray "for us sinners".
January 25th
Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
Gospel and commentary video
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Benedict XVI
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