De incarnatione Christi
The Fullness of Time and the Divine Decree
Moved by exceeding love, the Trinity ordains the Incarnation in the fullness of time to bring about the salvation of the human race.
Now when the fullness of time had come — or when the highest Trinity had willed and ordained how the human race was to be provided for through the incarnation of the Word — out of the exceeding great love with which he had loved that very human race, he was moved to act.✦ By his own mercy, and also at the entreaty of the heavenly spirits — and since the blessed Virgin Mary had returned to Nazareth — almighty God called the archangel Gabriel and said to him: Go to our most beloved daughter Mary, betrothed to Joseph, dearest to us beyond all creatures, and tell her that my Son has desired her beauty and has chosen her as his mother. And ask her to receive him gladly, because through her I have decreed to bring about the salvation of the whole human race, and I wish to forget the wrong that was done to me.
Entering the Scene: A Call to Contemplative Presence
The reader is instructed to be mentally present to the scene as Gabriel receives God's command and flies swiftly to Mary's dwelling.
Pay attention here and remember what I told you earlier at the beginning, so that you may learn to present yourself as present to all the things that are said and done. Here then, form the image in your mind and look upon God as best you can, for he is incorporeal; but see him as a great Lord seated on a high throne, with a kind, devout, and fatherly countenance, as one wishing to be reconciled — or as already reconciled — saying these words. And see Gabriel with a joyful and gladsome face, on bended knees, his countenance bowed in fear and reverence, attentively receiving the message of his Lord. So Gabriel rose up, joyful and rejoicing, and flew swiftly from the heights; and in human form he was in a moment before the Virgin Mary, in the chamber of her little dwelling.
The Trinity Precedes the Messenger
Gabriel finds the holy Trinity already present with Mary, for the entire Trinity undertakes this singular work of Incarnation.
But he did not fly in such a way that he was not anticipated by God; rather, he found the holy Trinity there, which goes before its own messenger. For you should know that the exalted work of the undertaking of the Incarnation was the work of the whole Trinity, although through the agency of the Son alone —
Becoming Present to the Mystery
The reader is urged to imagine the little room where the Trinity is specially present to accomplish the singular work of the Incarnation.
How the Son was made flesh — it's as if you were to put on a tunic, with two attendants standing at its sides to help you. J. They would help him and hold the sleeves of the tunic. Now then, look carefully right here, and as if you were present yourself at the very event — take in everything that is said and that takes place. O, what that little room was like — and still is — in your meditation, where such things are and such wonders are carried out! For although the holy Trinity is everywhere, you are to imagine it present there now in some special way, because of the singular work being accomplished.
The Angel's Greeting and Mary's Silence
Gabriel greets Mary with the words of Luke 1:28, but she, troubled, says nothing in reply.
Gabriel, the faithful attendant, therefore entered in to the Virgin Mary and said: Hail, full of grace; the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.✦ But she, troubled, said nothing in reply.
The Trouble of True Humility
Mary is troubled not by fear but by the novelty of such praise, for the humble cannot hear commendation without blushing and turning inward in self-examination.
She was not troubled by any disturbance of fear, nor by the sight of the angel, since she was accustomed to seeing them often; but, in the words of the Gospel, she was troubled by his speech, reflecting on the novelty of such a greeting — for no one had ever been accustomed to greet her this way.✦ In that greeting, since she saw herself commended in three things, the humble Lady couldn't help being troubled. For she was commended in that she was full of grace, and that the Lord was with her, and that she was blessed above all women; but a humble person can't hear praise of themselves without a blush of shame and a stirring of disturbance.✦ Her trouble, then, came from an honorable and virtuous reverence. She was even afraid — whether this was true: not that she didn't believe the angel was speaking the truth, but because of what's characteristic of humble people — they don't examine their own virtues but rather ruminate on their defects, so that they may always grow in progress, considering great virtue to be small and a small defect to be very great indeed. So like one who's prudent and cautious, timid and modest, she said nothing in reply. For what could she have said in reply? Learn also, by her example, to hold your silence and to love taciturnity, because such a virtue is great and very useful indeed.
The Angel's Reassurance and Mary's Question
The angel calms Mary's fear, announces that she will bear the Son of God, and explains that her conception will come through the Holy Spirit while preserving her virginity.
For she herself heard twice before she responded even once. For it is abominable that a virgin be talkative.1 For the angel, knowing the cause of her doubt, said: Do not be afraid, Mary, and do not be ashamed of the praises I have spoken to you, because it is so: not only are you full of grace, but through you the whole human race has recovered and found again the favor of God.✦2 For behold, you will conceive and bear a son of the Most High, who chose you as his mother, and he will save all who hope in him.✦ Then she responded — yet not by confessing or denying the commendations just spoken, but wanting assurance about another matter. She doubted more about the manner of it, namely, whether she might lose her virginity. She asked the angel, therefore, about the manner of this conception, saying: How will this happen, since I have vowed my virginity most firmly to my Lord, that I would never know a man?✦ And the angel replied: It will happen through the working of the Holy Spirit, who will fill you in a singular way, and by his power you will conceive, with your virginity preserved for you. And so your child will be called the Son of God.✦3 For nothing is impossible for him.✦4
The Trinity Awaits Her Consent
Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy is recalled, the Trinity awaits Mary's reply, and at last she kneels and gives her fiat: Behold, the handmaid of the Lord.
For your relative Elizabeth — old and barren as she was — is now six months pregnant; she has conceived a son by the power of God.✦ Look at this before God, and meditate on how the whole Trinity is there, awaiting the reply and consent of this, His only daughter — looking lovingly and with delight at her modesty, her character, and her words; and also how the Angel carefully and wisely guides her and arranges his words, standing, bowing low and reverent before his Lady, with a calm and serene expression, faithfully carrying out his embassy, and attentively observing the Lady's words, so that he may respond fittingly and, through this wondrous work, accomplish the will of the Lord.✦56 And how the Lady stands there timid and deeply humble, her face full of modesty — anticipated by the Angel and, in the midst of these unexpected words, she is not overwhelmed, nor does she think highly of herself.7 And when she hears great things spoken about herself — such as had never been said of anyone — she attributed it all to divine grace.✦ Learn, then, from her example to be modest and humble, for without these, virginity is of little worth. The most prudent Virgin rejoices, and in silence she consented to the words of praise spoken by the Angel.8 And, as is contained in the revelations handed down to us, she was moved with deep devotion.9 She knelt down, and with hands joined she said: Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.✦
The Word Made Flesh
The Son of God instantly enters the Virgin's womb, assumes flesh as a perfect man, remaining perfect God as well.
Then the Son of God, whole and without delay, entered the womb of the Virgin, and from her he assumed flesh, and wholly remained in the bosom of the Father. You can, however, devoutly imagine how he himself, the Son, as if undertaking an obedient and laborious mission to the Father, bowed and commended himself, and in that same instant a soul was created and infused: a perfect man in every bodily feature, but exceedingly small, so that afterwards in the womb he grew naturally, like others — yet there was no tearing apart of the soul's infusion, or separation of the members, as there is in others.10 For he was perfect God, just as he was perfect man, and so wise and powerful as he is now.
Heavenly Joy and Mary's Thanksgiving
Gabriel departs in joy to heaven, while Mary, aflame with love, gives thanks and humbly asks God to guide her in all that concerns her Son.
Gabriel, however, then knelt with his Lady in the same way, and shortly after, when she rose, bowing again all the way to the ground and bidding her farewell, he vanished, and returning to his homeland he related all this, and there was new joy there, and a new feast, and exceedingly great exultation.11 The Lady, indeed, all aflame and kindled even more than usual with the love of God, feeling that she had conceived, bent her knees and gave thanks for so great a gift, humbly and devoutly supplicating him that he would deign to instruct her, so that in whatever concerned her Son she was to do, she would carry it out without fault.12
The Wedding of Human Nature
The reader is called to rejoice on this unheard-of day when the Father makes a wedding for His Son by joining human nature to Himself inseparably.
You ought, however, to consider how great today's solemnity is, and rejoice in your heart, and make it a day of joy. For unheard of until now from the age of the world, and never before had such a thing been. For such is today's solemnity of God the Father, who made a wedding for his Son in the betrothal of human nature, which today the Son joined to himself inseparably.
A Feast for All the Orders of Grace
Today is feast for the Son, the Holy Spirit, Our Lady, the heavenly court, and all human nature, which begins its salvation, deification, and reconciliation.
Today is the wedding feast of the Son, and his birthday in the womb; but later it will be from the womb. Today is the feast of the Holy Spirit, because of this wondrous and singular work of the Incarnation, which is attributed to him; and today he began to show singular kindness to the human race. Today is the glorious feast of our Lady, who was acknowledged and taken by the Father as a daughter, by the Son as a mother, and by the Holy Spirit as a bride.13 Today is the feast of the whole heavenly court, because their restoration is begun. Today is a feast far more solemn for human nature: because its salvation has begun, and its redemption, and the reconciliation of the whole world, and it has been raised up and deified.14 Today the Son received a new obedience from the Father, to carry out our salvation. Today, coming forth from highest heaven, he rejoiced like a giant to run the way, and he enclosed himself in the garden of the Virgin's womb.15 Today also he became one of us, and our brother, and a pilgrim alongside us.
The Fulfillment of Every Longing
Today the true light descends, the living bread is baked in the virginal womb, the Word becomes flesh, and every ancient cry of the patriarchs and prophets is at last fulfilled.
Today the true light comes down from heaven to take away our darkness and drive it out. Today the living bread who gives life to the world is baked in the virginal oven of the womb.16 Today the Word was made flesh so that he might dwell in us. Today the cries and desires of the patriarchs and the prophets are heard and fulfilled. They were crying out with unspeakable desire and saying: Send forth your lamb, O Lord, etc.17 And again: Drop dew, O heavens, from above. And again: Would that you would tear open the heavens and come down. And again: O Lord, incline your heavens and come down.
The Day of Reconciliation and All Solemnities
This is the long-awaited day when God's anger is appeased, the fullness of time arrives, and all feasts find their origin; the reader is invited to meditate with joy and reverence.
And again: "Lord, show us your face," etc.✦18 And all of Scripture is full of these things.19 For this was the day they were awaiting most eagerly. Today is the beginning and foundation of all solemn feasts, and the origin of everything good for us. For until now the Lord has been angered against the human race, on account of the transgression of our first parents; but from now on, seeing his Son made man, he will no longer be angry.20 Today is called the fullness of time.✦21 You see a wonderful work, and how solemn it is that this has been done: it is altogether delightful, altogether joyful, altogether desirable, and to be received with all devotion, to be led forth in jubilation, joy, and exultation, and most worthy of all reverence.22 Meditate, therefore, on these things; take delight in them, and you will be filled with joy, and perhaps the Lord will show you [his glory], etc.23
Read the original Latin
Postquam autem • venit plenitudo temporis, vel deUberasset quomodo ordinavit summa Trinitas humano generi provideri per incarnaUonem Verbi^, propter nimiam charitatem suam, qua ipsum genus humanum diUgebat, commovente seq. eum misericordia sua, et nihilominus ad instantiam supernorum spirituum, el beata Yirgo Maria rediisset Nazareth; vocavit Deus omnipotens Gabrielem Archangelum, et dixit ei: Vade ad dileotissimam filiam nostram Mariam desponsatam Joseph, super omnes creaturas nobis charissimam: et dic ei, quod filius meus concupivit speciem suam, et sibi eam elegit in matrem. Et roga eam, ut ipsum leetanter accipiat: quia per eam salutem totius generis humani operari decrevi, et oblivisci volo injuriae mihi factae. Attende hic et recordare, quae tibi in principio supra dixi, ut discas omnibus, quas dicuntur et fiunt, te exhibere praesenlem. Hic ergo imagigineris, et aspicias Deum, ut potes, quia incorporeus est: sed aspice eum tanquam magnum dominum, sedentem in solio excelso, vultu benigno, pio et paterno, quasi reconciliare volentem, sive reconciliatum esse, haec verba dicentem, et Gabrielem facie hilari et jucunda, Uexis genibus et inclinato vultu timoroso et reverenti, ambasiatam Domini sui attente suscipientem. Surgens igitur Gabriel jucundus et gaudens, volitavit ab altis, et in humana specie in momento fuit coram Virgine Maria,in thalamo domunculae suae manenle. Sed nec sic volavit, quin praeveniretur a Deo, et sanctam ibi Trinitatem invenit, quae praevenit nuntium suum. Scire namque debes, quod excelsum incarna- incarn tionis opus totius Trinitatis fuit, licet sola per- *?
° ^^ sona FiUi fuerit incarnata; quemadmodum si opns i tunicam induenU, duo ex lateribus ejus stantes *''*. ^ J. adjuvarent eum, et tunicae manicas tenerent. Nunc ergo et hic bene aspice, et tanquam ipsi facto praesens existeres, intelUge omnia quae dicuntur et fiunt. 0 qualis fuit et nunc est in meditatione tua illa dorauncula, ubi tales sunt^ et taUa exercentur! Nam licet ubique sit sancta Trinitas, tamen ibi nunc aliquo singulari modo esse mediteris, raUone singularis operationis. Ingressus ergo Gabriel paranymphus fidelis ad Virginem Mariam, dixit ^: Ave, gratia plena; Dominus tecum, benedicta tu in mulieribus. Ipsa vero turbata, nihil respondit.
Non fuit turbata turbatione cuIpabUi, nec de visione Angeli, quia eos saepe videre solita erat: sed, juxta verba Evangelii, turbata fuit in sermone ejus, cogitans de novitate talis salutationis, non enim sic eam consueverat salutare. In qua salutatione cum videret se tribus commendari, non poterat humiUs Domina non turbari. Commendabatur enim quod esset gratia plena, et quod Dominus erat secum, et quod erat benedicta super omnes mulieres: at humilis non potest sui commendationem sine rubore et turbatione audire. Tm'oata ergo fuit ex verecundia honesta, et virtuosa. eliam timere, an hoc esset verum: non quod non crederet angelum vera loqui, sed ex eo quod proprium est in humilibus, quod non examinant suas virtutes, sed defectus potius ruminant, ut sic semper proficere possint reputantes magnam virtutem parvam, et parvum defectum magnum valde. Tanquam ergo prudens et cauta, pavida et pudorosa nihil respondit. Quid enim respondisset? Disce et tu exemplo suo tenere silentium, et taciturnitatem amare, quia magna et utilis valde talis virtus e>{.
Nam ipsa bis prius audivit, quam semel responderet. Abominabile enim est, virginem e-j^e loquacem. Angelus enim causam suoe dubitationis cognoscens, dixit: Ne timeas, Maria, nec verecunderis de laudibus, quas dixi tibi, quia sic est: nec solum ipsa gratia plena, sed eam toti generi humano recuperasti, et reinvenisti a Deo. Nam Ecce concipies, et paries Altissimi filium, qui te elegit in suam matrem, salvabit omnes in eum sperantes. Tunc ipsa respondit, non tamen confitendo, nec negando commendationes praefatas, sed de alio certificari volens, de modo plus dubitabat, scilicet ne perderet virginitatem suam. Quaesivit ergo ab Angelo hujus conceptionis modum, dicens: Quomodo fiet istud, quia virginitatem meam firmissime Domino meo devovi, ne in perpetuum hominem cognoscam? Et Angelus: Fiet per operationem Spiritus sancti, qui te singulari modo replebit, et ejus virtute concipies, salva tibi virginitate tua, et ideo lilius tuus vocabitur filius Dei. Nihil enim ei estimpossibile.
Nam Elisabeth cognata tua cum esset senex, et sterilis, jam sunt sex menses, quod filium virtute Dei concepit. Intuere hic pro Deo, et meditare, qualiter tota Trinitas est ibi expectans responsionem et consensum hujus suae filiee singularis, amanter et delectabiUter aspiciens verecundiam ejus, et mores et verba; et etiam qualiter Angelus diligenter etsapienter inducit eam, et ordinat verba sua, stans inclinatus et reverens coram Domina sua, vultu placido et sereno, fideliter exequens ambcisiatam suam, et attente observans verba Dominae, ut possit congrue respondere, et super hoc opere mirifico perficere Domini voluntatem. Et qualiter etiam Domina stat timorate ac hamilihumiliter, facie pudorosa, prneventa ab Angelo, et ex improviso in verbis istis non exlolbtur, neque se reputat. Et cum audit magnalia de se, qualia alicui nunquam dicta fuerunt, totum divinoe gratiae ascribebat. Disce ergo ejus exemplo esse pudorosa et humilis, quia sine his virginitas parum valet. Gaudet prudentissima Virgo, et tate virauditis verbis Angeli consensit. Et, ut in suis ^''°'^^ parom revelationibus continetur, profunda devotione vaiet. genuflexit, et junctis manibus dixit: Ecce ancilla Domini, fiat mihi secundum verbwn tuum.
Tunc FiUus Dei staUm totus et sine mora intravit uterum Yirginis, et ex ea carnem assumpsit, et totus remansit in sinu Patris. Potes autem pie imaginari, quaUter ipse FiUus tanquam obedienUam et laboriosam legationem suscipiens, Patri se inclinavit, et recommendavit, et in eodem instanti anima creata et infusa fuit; perfectus homo secundum omnia corporis lineamenta, sed parvulus valde, ita quod in utero postea naturaliter crescebat, ut alii,sed non fuit dilafa infusio animae,, vel membrorum distinctio, ut in aliis. Erat enim perfectus Deus, sicut perfectus homo, et ita sapiens et potens, ut est modo. Gabriel autem tunc cum Domina sua similiter genuflexit, et parum post cum ea surgens, se iterum incUnans usque ad terram, et valefaciens ei, disparuit, et ad patriam rediens hoc narravit, et fuit ibi novum gaudium, et novum festum, et exultatio magna nimis. Domina vero tota inflammata, et in amore Dei magis solito succensa, sentiens se concepisse, genibus flexis gratias egit de tanto dono, humiUter et devote supplicans eidem, ut eam dignaretur instruere, ita quod ia his, qua^ circa filium suum facienda occurrerent, faceret sine defectu. Considerare autem debes, quanta est hodierna solemnitas, et jubilare in corde tuo, et agere dies laetitiae. Inaudita est enim usque modo a saecuUs, nec uuquam fuerat. Talis namque hodie est solemnitas Dei Patris, qui nuptias fecit fiUo suo in desponsatione humanae naturas, quam hodie Filius sibi univit inseparabiliter.
Hodie est etsolemnitas nuptiarum FiUi, et dies natalis ejus in utero; sed postea erit ex utero. Hodie est solemnitas sancti Spiritus, propter hoc opus mirificum et singulare ipsius incarnationis, quod eidem attribuitur: et hodie incoepit ostendere benignitatem singularem humano generi. Hodie est solemnitas gloriosa Dominae nostrae, quae a Patre in fiUam, et FiUo in matrem, et Spiritu sanclo iu spousam est i^ecogniia et assumpta. Hodie est solemnitas totius coelestis curiae, quia inchoatur eorum reparatio. Hodie est mullo magis soleranitas humanse naturas: quia ejus salus incoepit et redemptio, et tolius mundi reconciliatio, et sublimata est atque deificata. Hodie novam obedientiam suscepit Filius a Patre, de nostra peragenda salute. Hodie a summo ccelo egrediens ', exultavit ut gigas ad currcndum viam, et se reclusit in horto uteri virginah's. Hodie etiam factus est unus ex nobis, et frater noster, et peregrinari nobiscum.
Hodie de coelo lux vera descendit, ad tollendas et fugandas nostras tenebras. Hodie panis vivus qui dat vitam mundo, decoquitur in virginaUs uteri clibano. Hodie ^ Verbum caro factum est, ut habitaret in nobis. Hodie clamores et desideria patriarcharum et prophetarum exaudita sunt et impleta. Clamabant desiderio inenarrabili et dicebant ^: Emitte agnum^ Domine, etc. Et iterum *: Rorate, cceli, deswper. Et iterum ^: XJtinam dirumperes ccelos et descenderes. Et iterum ^; Bomine, inclina coslos tuos et descende.
Et iterum "^: Domine, ostende nobis faciem tuam, etc. Et taUa muUa, de quibus tota Scriptura est plena. Nam hodiernam diem vehementissime expectabant. Hodie est principium et fundamentum omnium solemnitatum, et initium totius nostri boni. Nam usque nunc indignatus est Dominus contra genus humanum, propter transgressionem primorum parentum; sed amodo videns FiUum hominem factum, non uUerius irascetur. Hodie dicitur * esse temporis plenitudo. Vides admirabUe opus, et quam solemnissimum factum sit istud: totum est delectabUe, totum jucundum, totum desiderabile, et cum omni devoUone suscipiendum, in jubilatione, laetiUa et exuUaUone ducendum, et omni veneratione dignissimum. In his ergo meditare, in his delectare, et jucundaberis, et forte ostendet tibi Dominus ampUora, etc
Scripture echoes
- ↩Gal.4.4 — But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
- ↩Luke.1.28 — And coming to her, he said, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.'
- ↩Luke.1.29 — But she was troubled at his message, and she kept pondering what sort of greeting this might be.
- ↩Luke.1.28 — And coming to her, he said, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.'
- ↩Luke.1.30 — And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
- ↩Luke.1.31-Luke.1.33 — And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. Luke.1.32 — He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David. Luke.1.33 — And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.
- ↩Luke.1.34 — But Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I have not known a man?"
- ↩Luke.1.35 — And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore also the one to be born will be called Son of God."
- ↩Luke.1.37 — For nothing will be impossible with God.
- ↩Luke.1.13-Luke.1.15 — But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will call his name John.' Luke.1.14 — And there will be joy for you and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. Luke.1.15 — For he will be great before the Lord, and he shall never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.
- ↩Luke.1.26-Luke.1.38 — In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee whose name was Nazareth, Luke.1.27 — to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. Luke.1.28 — And coming to her, he said, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.' Luke.1.29 — But she was troubled at his message, and she kept pondering what sort of greeting this might be. Luke.1.30 — And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Luke.1.31 — And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. Luke.1.32 — He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David. Luke.1.33 — And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. Luke.1.34 — But Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I have not known a man?" Luke.1.35 — And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore also the one to be born will be called Son of God." Luke.1.36 — And behold, Elizabeth your kinswoman—she too has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren. Luke.1.37 — For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke.1.38 — And Mary said, 'Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her.
- ↩Luke.1.46-Luke.1.55 — And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, Luke.1.47 — and my spirit rejoiced in God my Savior Luke.1.48 — For he has looked upon the lowliness of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed. Luke.1.49 — for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Luke.1.50 — And his mercy is for generations and generations upon those who fear him. Luke.1.51 — He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. Luke.1.52 — He has brought down rulers from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. Luke.1.53 — He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. Luke.1.54 — He has helped his servant Israel, remembering mercy Luke.1.55 — just as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.
- ↩Luke.1.38 — And Mary said, 'Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her.
- ↩Ps.80.3 — Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your strength; come and save us.
- ↩Gal.4.4 — But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
Notes
- 1 ↩The source reads virginem e-j^e loquacem, where e-j^e appears to be a scribal abbreviation or corruption. The translation follows the most plausible intended sense: that a virgin should not be talkative.
- 2 ↩reinvenisti a Deo rendered as 'found again the favor of God' to capture both the recovery and the relational sense of the Latin.
- 3 ↩lilius is likely a scribal variant or corruption of filius ('son'). The translation reads it as filius to preserve the sense.
- 4 ↩estimpossibile is an unusual or possibly corrupt form; the translation follows the intended sense of impossibile ('impossible').
- 5 ↩The text presents the entire Trinity as present and awaiting Mary's response — a theologically dense image that goes beyond the Lucan narrative. The reader is invited to contemplate the Trinity's collective involvement in the Annunciation.
- 6 ↩Several manuscript readings are uncertain: 'etsapienter' (et + sapienter fused), 'delectabiUter' (variant spelling), 'ambcisiatam' (uncertain spelling for legationem/ambassiatam), 'filiee' (variant for filiae). Translation follows the most plausible intended sense.
- 7 ↩Manuscript readings uncertain: 'hamilihumiliter' (uncertain spelling, likely humiliter), 'prneventa' (likely praeventa), 'exlolbtur' (uncertain, possibly exsorbeur/absorbeur — 'is swallowed up' or 'is overwhelmed'). Translation follows the most plausible sense: she is not overwhelmed by the angel's words.
- 8 ↩Manuscript readings uncertain: 'tate' (possibly tacite — 'silently'), 'virauditis' (uncertain, possibly laudibus — 'words of praise'). Translation follows the most plausible sense: she silently consented to the Angel's words of praise.
- 9 ↩Manuscript readings highly uncertain: 'parom' (possibly quodam/quadam — 'some' or 'a certain'), 'vaiet' (possibly vacillat/variat — 'she trembles' or 'she is moved'). The garbled text ''^''°'^^'' appears to be a manuscript corruption marker. Translation follows the most plausible sense: 'as is contained in the revelations handed down to us, she was moved with deep devotion.'
- 10 ↩The phrase 'dilafa infusio animae' is textually uncertain (low-confidence lemma); the rendering 'tearing apart of the soul's infusion' follows the most plausible sense of a violent or disruptive separation, contrasting with the integrity of Christ's conception.
- 11 ↩'incUnans' is a low-confidence lemma (possibly 'incumbens' or 'incurvans'); rendered as 'bowing' following the context of reverent prostration.
- 12 ↩'humiUter' is a low-confidence token; rendered as 'humbly' following the devotional context of Mary's posture before God.
- 13 ↩The manuscript reading 'i^ecogniia' is normalized as 'recognitia' (acknowledged/recognized); the sense is that Mary was acknowledged and assumed into these threefold relations.
- 14 ↩The manuscript reads 'mullo magis soleranitas humanse naturas' — normalized as 'multo magis solemnitas humanae naturas.' The sense is that today's feast is far greater for human nature.
- 15 ↩The phrase 'exultavit ut gigas ad currendum viam' echoes Psalm 18:6 (Vulgate) / Psalm 19:5 (Hebrew): 'Exsultavit ut gigas ad currendum viam.' Candidate allusion, pending Moses resolution.
- 16 ↩clibano (oven) is a striking metaphor for the Virgin's womb; rendered literally to preserve the image.
- 17 ↩Emitte agnum Domine echoes liturgical and prophetic language; exact source pending Moses resolution.
- 18 ↩The quoted span echoes Psalm 80:3, 7, 20 (Vulgate 79:4, 8, 20) — 'Domine, ostende nobis faciem tuam' — a liturgical plea for God's restoring presence.
- 19 ↩The readings 'taUa muUa' are uncertain and possibly corrupt or abbreviated. The translation supplies 'these things' from context to render a coherent sense, but the original referent is unclear.
- 20 ↩The readings 'FiUum' and 'uUerius' are uncertain (confidence 0.7) and normalized as 'Filium' and 'ulterius' respectively. The translation follows these corrected readings.
- 21 ↩The phrase 'plenitudo temporis' echoes Galatians 4:4 — 'ubi venit plenitudo temporis' — a key Pauline text for the theology of the Incarnation.
- 22 ↩The readings 'admirabUe', 'delectabUe', 'devoUone', 'laetiUa', and 'exuUaUone' are uncertain (confidence 0.7) and normalized as 'admirabile', 'delectabile', 'devotione', 'laetitia', and 'exultatione' respectively. The translation follows these corrected readings.
- 23 ↩The reading 'ampUora' is uncertain (confidence 0.5) and possibly corrupt or abbreviated. The translation supplies 'his glory' as a plausible intended sense, but the original word is unclear.
Meditationes Vitae Christi (Pseudo-Bonaventure), Castilian court context companion
A scene a day, for life
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