We Bow to the Mystery of the Word Becoming Flesh
Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM
We Bow to the Mystery of the Word Becoming Flesh
The Gospel that was read today was the beginning of John’s Gospel.
Read it when you get a chance, and let the words penetrate you. In an earlier age in the Church’s history, Mass was not over, until these passages are read at the end of Mass. Every day, during Mass, prayer includes these passages. It was called, The Last Gospel. These passages were inserted into the Liturgy. It says something of its importance! So again, you are encouraged to read it when you can in this new year. During this Christmas Season, read more about the great Mystery of Our Lord. The Mystery of Our Lord, The Word becoming Flesh. Hear more in the Homily of the greatness of this passage in the beginning of John’s Gospel.
The Mystery Recalls the Great Humility of Our Lord
In the Creed, the Church asks all who recite this prayer, to bow when praying / saying “by the Holy Spirit, He was Incarnate in the Virgin Mary and became man . . . “. Bowing of the body recalls the great humility of the Lord emptying Himself and taking up our flesh. On Christmas Day, the Church asks us to kneel. Why? The Church asks us to get on our knees in adoration of this great mystery.
The Church wishes to acknowledge the importance of this mystery becoming flesh. It is so important for us; the Church asks us to show adoration for it. Why is it so important? Because when we make this adoration gesture, it is a sign of what is / or should be happening within our spirit and within our heart.
We bow to the Mystery of the Word becoming Flesh. He who is God, reduces Himself in this mysterious way to be like us! Why is it a mystery? Becoming like us . . . is not a step up for God. Hear more about Why Our Lord becomes flesh. Hear why He humbles Himself, and how this should impact our own spirituality.
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The Adoration: Italian Painter and Artist: Caravaggio : 1609
Caravaggio’s full name is Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. Stolen while on display in Italy in 1969, about 360 years after the painting’s completion. Recovery of the painting is still outstanding fifty plus years since its theft.
The artist has several works on this website. One of these paintings may be found here.
We Bow to the Mystery of the Word Becoming Flesh
