Exhaling

While on earth, Christ acted as man but merited as God.

Every action appeared human, but because He is God, those actions could do what no merely human activity could do: reach the Throne of God, because they have infinite value. Only the actions of the God-Man could span the infinite chasm between God and man.

And because this Second Person of the Trinity became one of us (I think we have gotten so used to this stupendous fact that it fails to ring stupendous, too often), we have been given a new dignity, have been lifted up as God’s true children in Him. Sons in the Son. Our dignity and value comes from Him.

From the very beginning, from Adam and Eve, we have been trying to elevate ourselves to a false dignity. Adam and Eve reached for “godlikeness” by reaching for a fruit that promised knowledge. In Babylon, they built a tower to show how big they were. The pharaohs of Egypt were worshipped and their images reverenced. Ancient kings historically demanded this adoration by the masses, putting themselves in a divine position.

Modern times have seen a less obvious but even more pathetic self-aggrandizement, our insatiable need for affirmation turning some into tyrants and murdering megalomaniacs, others into sex objects or philanthropists who blow their own horns before them. There is every gradation in between. And “the masses,” who must adore something, often adore them. We build monuments to us, temples to us, proclaim “how great I art.”

But we are not gods and cannot become gods, no matter how much the devil promises us.

But God can become man!

In stupendous and stupefying condescension, in a perfect balance of justice and mercy capable only of Love Itself, God became one of us and lifted us higher than we could even aspire to be. Because He took on flesh, our flesh is glorified. Because He is one of us, one WITH us, we can participate in the very love-life of the Trinity Itself. We can share God’s life, share His sentiments, walk in His footsteps, love with His own Heart.

He is the Vine, we are the branches; He is the Head, we – the Church – are the Body. Our union, our identification with Him is so true and so complete that the risen Christ knocked Saul off his high horse and asked, “Saul, why do you persecute ME?” Not “My followers” or “my brethren,” but ME.  What is done to one member affects the whole body, including the Head. And no member of the body can act meaningfully or effectively unless directed by the Head (some part that acts out of control of the head is in need of healing!). We are so closely bound with Him that His own divine Life flows through us, animates us, courses through our bodies and souls, giving new value to all we do, making us one with Him and participating in His own activity.

In this mysterious union, we are loved by the Father in a new way. A father does not love only the head of his son, but every part. So by assimilating the whole human race to Himself, Christ has insured that as the Father loves and embraces Him in paternal love, He also loves and embraces all of us.

All of us, but not as a collective. All and each. Each one of us.

More on the Mystical Body soon….