“ “Before they came to live together, she was found with child by the working of the Holy Spirit" (Mt I:18). Joseph found both things: both the conception and its cause, namely, the intervention of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, fearing to be called the husband of such a woman, he "wanted to send her away... Continue Reading →
“Joseph, speaking with the other prisoners of their own dreams (cf. Gen 40:8), clearly uses the expression: "by means of (diá) God" . instead of the expression: "of (ek) God". Paul, to the contrary, uses the preposition (ek) in the place of (diá), when he says, for example: "Born of (ek) woman" (Gal 4:4), instead... Continue Reading →
“[Christ] lived in the house of a builder and a poor mother.” Basil of Caesarea , On the Holy Generation of Christ PG 31, 1464 B. This quote is good enough to have its own post. Many times we [including myself] complain about not having enough. Christ lived a poor life; he did not live... Continue Reading →
“Simeon calls a sword (cf. Lk 2:3s) the word that has the power to test and discern thoughts, that penetrates unto the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow (cf. Heb 4:12). Indeed every soul, at the moment of the Passion, underwent a kind of doubt, just as the Lord said: "You will... Continue Reading →
“In Joseph, Mary had a spouse and guardian of her life, so that there would be a witness who was familiar with her purity and so that calumniators would not be given the pretext to accuse her of having violated her virginity.” Basil of Caesarea , On the Holy Generation of Christ PG 31, 1464... Continue Reading →
“A virgin, who was then given in marriage to a man, was found worthy for the service of [the Incarnation], so that virginity might be honored and marriage not be despised. For virginity was chosen as being apt to sanctification, but with the betrothal, the precepts of marriage were also included.” Basil of Caesarea ,... Continue Reading →
“An ancient author offered another reason. The marriage with Joseph was planned so that Mary's virginity might remain hidden from the prince of this world. For the external forms of marriage were adopted by the Virgin, almost as if to distract the Evil One, who has always preyed on virgins, ever since he heard the... Continue Reading →
“For "he did not know her" - it says-"until she gave birth to a Son, her firstborn" (Mt 1:2s). But this could make one suppose that Mary, after having offered in all purity her own service in giving birth to the Lord, by virtue of the intervention of the Holy Spirit, did not subsequently refrain... Continue Reading →
But what is the workshop (ergasterion) of this economy?
His origin was not from Mary, nor does he belong to her time.
Virgin Mary 