Pastor's Column
A pastor's column was not written this week. -- The following appeared in the bulletin in its place: From St. John Chrysostom
The shepherds found Mary and Joseph and the child.
May we all receive the benefit of having recourse to the holy Virgin and Mother ofGod. Those of you who are now virgins should be devoted to the mother of the Lord,because it is she who procures for you this fair and incorruptible possession. Truly greatis the wonder of the Virgin. What can ever be found greater than all that exists? Shealone has appeared wider than earth and heaven. Who is holier than she? She is unsurpassedby our ancestors, by the prophets, apostles, or martyrs, by the patriarchs or theFathers, by the angels, thrones, dominions, seraphim or cherubim, or by any other createdthing visible or invisible. She is a servant and the Mother of God, a virgin and amother. And let no one be doubtful and ask how she can be a servant and the Mother ofGod, or how she can be a virgin and a mother. Accept with faith and do not doubtteachings that have been examined and approved by the Fathers. Instead, stand in aweand believe without question, or rather, without being inquisitive. If your beliefs correspondto your own ideas, perceive your danger. But if you believe the word that ispreached, it is no longer you who must render an account but the bishop.
Believe what we say about the Virgin, then, and do not hesitate to confess her to beboth servant and Mother of God, both virgin and mother. She is a servant as the creatureof him who was born of her; she is the Mother of God inasmuch as of her God wasborn in human flesh. She is a virgin because she did not conceive from the seed of man;she is a mother because she gave birth and became the mother of him who before alleternity was begotten of the Father.
She is therefore the mother of the Lord of angels and our mother; from her the Son ofGod received the human body in which he consented to be crucified. Do you desire toknow how far the Virgin surpasses the powers of heaven'? Give me your attention then.They veil their faces as they hover in fear and trembling, but she offers the human raceto God, and through her we receive the forgiveness of our sins. She bore him whom theangels glorified when they came with reverence to be present at his birth. Glory to Godin the highest, they sang, and peace to his people on earth.
Rejoice then, mother and heaven, maiden and cloud, virgin and throne, the boast andfoundation of our Church. Plead earnestly for us that through you we may obtain mercyon the Day of Judgment and attain the good things reserved for those who love God,through the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and theHoly Spirit be glory, power, and honor now and forever and for all eternity. Amen
(Homily attributed to John: Orientalia Christiana Periodica, 32, 1966)