The Word was made flesh – Father Charles Bak, MSA
Apr 28, 2017
Rev. Charles Bak, M.S.A.
According to Blessed John Duns Scotus and many others: From all eternity, God planned the Incarnation of His only Son: that Jesus would be born in time and be the Head of the human family. Scotus asserted that sin should not be necessary for the Incarnation of the Son of God to happen.
God’s love is so immense and so profound that He planned to take upon himself human flesh—that is, our human nature—in any case. God is love and God loves all that He has created so very much!
This being said, it is a fact that man did sin and Christ did die and rise. He gave himself for us—for the sake of our salvation. Indeed, Christ’s death is the supreme sign of God’s love for human beings—each and every human person. So, each one of us can rightly say with St. Paul, “Christ loved me and gave himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Friends, these are concrete realities: It was no ghost who died on the Cross. Christ Jesus came and suffered and died in the flesh. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ Jesus took flesh of the holy Virgin Mary. And after the Resurrection, St. Thomas put his hand in Jesus’ side: Thomas touched the living flesh of Jesus.
Jesus really suffered, died, and rose for us. His love is real and concrete. In case we forget this, Pope Francis reminds us: “The Word was made flesh; it is not made an idea” (https://zenit.org/articles/popes-morning-homily-concrete-faith-not-ideology/).
Soon, the real and concrete death of Christ Jesus will be re-presented on this altar, and members of the Mystical Body of Christ will receive His risen and glorious flesh—though under a veil—and will be intimately united with Him.
Yes, Christ Jesus gave himself up for us. His self-surrender is a pressing call to respond to His great love for us.
Jesus waits for us:
–When we are so sad and contrite because of our sins, we can find Jesus’ mercy, tenderness, and healing in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Will we go to Him?
–Jesus also wants us to come to Him for nourishment, strength, and healing by Holy Communion worthily received. We will come?
–Jesus waits for us, lonely, a prisoner of love in the Tabernacle in our churches. Will we visit Him?
–And finally, Jesus waits for us in anyone who is poor or needy or lonely or sick or in distress. Will we respond to Christ in our neighbor?
Remember, the Word is not an idea; He is a Person, He is real, He is concrete, and He has come—in the flesh.
Father Charles Bak, MSA