St. Justin Martyr (110-165 AD approx. )
(For the History note cfr. The Year of Faith with the Church Fathers {6} ).
He ( the Son of God) became man by the Virgin, in order that the disobedience which proceeded from the serpent might receive its destruction in the same manner in which it derived its origin. For Eve, who was a virgin and incorrupt, having conceived the word of the serpent, brought forth disobedience and death. But the Virgin Mary received faith and joy, when the angel Gabriel announced the good tidings to her that the Spirit of the Lord would come upon her, and the power of the Highest would overshadow her: wherefore also the Holy Being begotten of her is the Son of God; and she replied, ‘Be it unto me according to thy word.’ And through her has He been born, to whom we have proved so many Scriptures refer, and by whom God destroys both the serpent and those angels and men who are like him; but works deliverance from death to those who repent of their wickedness and believe upon Him.
(St. Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, chapter 100).
Reflection: The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church. Pope Benedict XVI says that Mary is the mother and the model of the Church, who receives the divine Word in faith and offers herself to God as the “good soil” in which he can continue to accomplish his mystery of salvation. (Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God and the 45th world day of Peace).
Peace, once lost, has been planted again in humanity, this time to remain until the end of time. When Jesus Christ was born, God’s power of friendship shone brightly again….. Let us adore the Lord God for His great wonders and pray to Mary, our Mother and our hope, to help us receive the divine Word in faith in our lives. Let us all pray for “peace on earth”, in our family and in our society.
Creed: For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven. By the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. (the Nicene-Constantinople Creed)
St. Francis’ Prayer:
…….You are our guardian and defender.
You are our courage. You are our haven and our hope.
You are our faith, our great consolation.
You are our eternal life, Great and Wonderful Lord,
God Almighty, Merciful Saviour.