20 September 2005

Patristic Quote for the Day

The body of the Word, then, being a real human body, in spite of its having been uniquely formed froma virgin, was of itself mortal and, like other bodies, liable to death. But the indwelling of the Word loosed it from this natural liability, so that corruption could not touch it. Thus it happened that two opposite marvels took place at once: the death of all was consummated in the Lord's body; yet, because the Word was in it, death and corruption were in the same act utterly abolished. - St. Athanasius, *On the Incarnation of the Word of God*

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This seems to all but negate the Immaculate Conception doesn't it?

I appreciate Athanasius' thoughts here. I have often speculated (based on Jn 10:17-18) that Christ could not have died naturally say from a freak accident. And that He died by his own freewill, (because he choose to do so). Looking at his death from this viewpoint, has really made me appreciate even more his sacrifice.

Just some thoughts.

Cheryl