William Hemsworth's Blog, page 62

What is the desire of your heart? Prayer is desire

To pray is to exercise our desire. St. Augustine tells us that “the desire of your heart is itself your prayer. If you wish to pray without ceasing, do not cease to desire. The constancy of your desire will itself be the ceaseless voice of your prayer.” In a mystical dialogue, God says to St. Catherine of Siena, “Do you […]

What is the desire of your heart? Prayer is desire

USCCB President Reflects on the Death and Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI > Diocese of Norwich

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI helped lead the Church to “a more profound love of truth and the mystery of God,” Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said Saturday in reaction to the former pontiff’s death. “While we grieve that he is no longer with us here, I join […]

USCCB President Reflects on the Death and Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI > Diocese of Norwich

Why We Call Mary The Mother Of God

Within the early church there were many issues when it came to Christology.  Some would take a
piece of scripture and develop a whole theology without properly exegeting or considering what
other scriptures say on an issue.  To put it in modern terms it was proof texting, but on a
grandiose scale.  A scale in which souls were at stake.  The Council of Ephesus was called to
discuss the unity of Christ.

Christology And A Dilemma

More specifically, how can Christ be truly God and truly human?  As if this issue were not
enough to cause division there was a political component as well.  The Christian patriarchs of
Antioch, Constantinople, and Alexandria had a rivalry which stemmed from Constantinople
calling itself the “New Rome”.  At the center of the council were two bishops by the names of
Nestorius and St. Cyril of Alexandria.

Nestorius was a priest who became the patriarch of Constantinople.  He was trained in Antioch
which had a very good reputation of defending the humanity of Christ.  Nestorius starts with
diversity in Christ (two natures) then gets into trouble when trying to explain how they come
together.  In attempting to explain the humanity of Christ, Nestorius looked at the Blessed Virgin
Mary.

Theotokos And Nestorius

Most churches at the time called Mary the theotokos, or mother of God.  Nestorius made the
suggestion that Mary should have the title of theodochos, or the recipient of God.  Later on he
would make the suggestion to call her Christotokos, or the mother of Christ.  By doing this
Nestorius was making an attempt to preserve the humanity of Christ, but the way he did so was
complex and in the end failed to preserve the unity of Christ.

Nestorius used a Stoic concept of what makes an individual in his argument.  Properties are
inseparable to the person, and Nestorius believed that Christ should exist as two individuals
(hypostasis) or two persons (prosopon).  He didn’t believe that natures changed (which is good)
because that would make him just like Apollinaris about a century earlier.

Since natures can’t change Nestorius proposed that there was a third person involved.  Problem
is Christ only has two natures, and third nature or person being involved is a big Christological
problem.

St. Cyril And Christology

Hearing the argument of Nestorius, Cyril took the opportunity to say that Christ was one
individual.  He did this by employing the term mia physis, or one nature.  To Cyril, the view of
Nestorius implied that there were two different Christs.  By saying that there is one individual,
Cyril is not saying that Christ did not have a human nature.  He is saying that there is a human
soul that is in union with his divinity.  This term is known as the hypostatic union and is still a
term that is used today.

Nestorius was eventually condemned at the Council of Ephesus for his “two sons” doctrine. 
Cyril, who by all accounts was very uncharitable to Nestorius, called him a “New Judas”.  The
council righty confirmed the orthodox position of Mary being the theotokos.  She gave birth to
the whole person of Christ, not just his humanity.  To think the divine came later would be a type
of adoptionism.  The council was crucial in upholding the humanity and the divinity of Christ,
and it is one we can look to today for those who deny the theotokos.

The Mother Of God

The fact of Jesus having a human and divine nature coexisting in the one person of Jesus was
upheld by the Council of Ephesus in 431.  As a result the Greek term for Mary known
as Theotokos was upheld.

In short calling Mary the Mother of God has everything to do with understanding Jesus properly,
and even less to do with Mary.  Regarding this para 495 of the Catechism states, “Called in the
Gospels ‘the mother of Jesus, Mary is acclaimed by Elizabeth, at the prompting of the Spirit and
even before the birth of her son, as “the mother of my Lord”. In fact, the One whom she
conceived as man by the Holy Spirit, who truly became her Son according to the flesh, was none
other than the Father’s eternal Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity. Hence the Church
confesses that Mary is truly “Mother of God” (Theotokos)”.

Jesus was fully God and fully man from the time of his conception.  Mary gave birth to the
second person of the Trinity, not a boy who would latter take on a divine nature.
The divine nature was already there.  Since Mary gave birth to Jesus, who we affirm to be God
incarnate, she gave birth to God.

Yes my friends, it really is that simple.  Nestorianism is the logical consequence for those who
deny the Theotokos.

Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us.

Happy New Year!

Benedict XVI: ‘Humble worker in vineyard of the Lord’

The 95-year-old Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away on Saturday at 9:34 AM in his residence at the Vatican’s Mater Ecclesiae Monastery

Benedict XVI: ‘Humble worker in vineyard of the Lord’

World mourns following the death of Pope Benedict XVI

His eight years serving the papacy capped a long ministry as teacher of the faith By Cindy Wooden/Catholic News Service Retired Pope Benedict XVI, who had an impressive record as a teacher and defender of the basics of Catholic faith, is likely to go down in history books as the first pope in almost 600 […]

World mourns following the death of Pope Benedict XVI

Holy Shroud of Turin’s Authenticity Can No Longer Be Disputed, Expert Asserts| National Catholic Register

The Shroud of Turin, which is believed to have wrapped Jesus’ body after his Crucifixion, is a seemingly inexhaustible source of discoveries and disputes between historians and scientists — and between men of faith themselves, some seeing it as a simple icon symbolizing the death and resurrection of Christ, while others remain convinced of its […]

Holy Shroud of Turin’s Authenticity Can No Longer Be Disputed, Expert Asserts| National Catholic Register

The Prophet Ezekiel And Restoration

In sacred scripture there are only three people that were taken up to Heaven.  One was our Lord Jesus Christ, but since He did this under His own power He actually ascended.  The other two are Enoch and Ezekiel.  Ezekiel was a younger contemporary of Jeremiah, lived through the last days of Judah and the early days of the Exile in Babylon.  He was widely opposed to the political and religious environment of His day, and wished that the Israelites would return to YHWH centered spirituality.

Ezekiel And Judgment

There are many oracles throughout the Ezekiel.  In chapters 1-11 we see the initial commissioning and first visions of Ezekiel.  He sees a cloud like fire coming from the north.  Though the vision starts off similarly to other prophets it takes a turn.  Collins states “He sees something like a throne, on which there was something that seemed like human form but that was fiery and dazzling in appearance (Collins, 356).”  He is to play a role of warning people against the danger to come.  YHWH then departs in a very mobile chariot which symbolizes that YHWH can appear in Babylon as well as Jerusalem.  He then sees visions of destruction and sees it is because of the way the people are living.  They were devoid of YHWH and lived to fulfill their own needs.

Ezekiel then is given oracles of the impending judgment of YHWH.  Israel is compared to a promiscuous woman and a vine that is useless.  It is because of YHWH that Jerusalem has become as beautiful as it has.  Collins states “YHWH pledged himself to Jerusalem and entered into a contract or covenant with her.  The beauty of the young woman gives occasion for prostitution (Collins, 364).  These are strong and disdainful words to describe the spiritual condition of Jerusalem.

Because of the blessing that Jerusalem had from YHWH they were very prosperous.  After the fall many countries were happy with the news.  The prime culprits were Ammon, Moab, Edom, and the Philistines.  Though Tyre is also said to be among those nations Ezekiel prophesizes the fall of these nations with great accuracy.

Ezekiel And Promises Of Restoration

There is a saying that states after the fire comes the rain.  After the fall of Jerusalem YHWH is forever faithful and gives Ezekiel prophesies of restoration.  This is where the famous story of the valley of dry bones appears and denotes a resurrection.  Collins states “the restored dynasty would last forever, and YHWH would dwell in the midst of them (Collins, 371).”  Lastly, Ezekiel has visions about a temple that would replace the one that had been destroyed.  He also lays out guidelines that would prevent the fall of Jerusalem again.

Works Cited

Collins, John J. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2004.

‘The story of the Holy Family is about life not always turning out the way you expected’

A little something from the vault:  I’m struck every year by the timing of this feast, celebrating the Holy Family. It comes on the first Sunday following Christmas, when a lot of us have started to overdose on family.  In fact, after the parties and cooking and visiting and obligations and expectations and disappointments, some of […]

‘The story of the Holy Family is about life not always turning out the way you expected’

Rome Diocese to offer Mass for Benedict XVI

On Thursday, the Vatican gave a further update on Benedict XVI’s health. “The Pope Emeritus was able to rest well last night; he is absolutely lucid and alert, and today, although his condition remains serious, the situation at the moment is stable,” Vatican Spokesman Matteo Bruni said Dec. 29. In a statement Thursday morning, Vicar […]

Rome Diocese to offer Mass for Benedict XVI

Catholic bishop, priest released after two months in Eritrea prison

Even legal groups face persecution. The Eritrean government has periodically targeted Catholic and other religious institutions. In August, the Eritrean government took over the Hagaz Agro-Technical School, a Catholic institution founded and run by the Lasallian Brothers. The school trains students in farm machinery, agriculture, soil conservation, and animal husbandry. Government officials shut down several […]

Catholic bishop, priest released after two months in Eritrea prison