On the Incarnation of the Word

  Today, May 2, as our Church celebrates the memorial of Athanasius , Bishop and Doctor, we are invited to read and reflect on a passage from the book of Wisdom (7: 7-16, 22-30), entitled "The joy of the just united to God". Our treasure, which follows, is from a discourse by Saint Athanasius, bishop. Saint Athanasius was born at Alexandria in 295. He served as Patriarch of Alexandria for a period of his life, leading the church in Egypt and playing a significant role in shaping the early church. He accompanied Alexander to the Council of Nicaea and succeeded him as Bishop of Alexandria. His primary contribution to the teachings of the Catholic Church is his unwavering defense of the full divinity of Christ, especially during the Arian controversy. He taught clearly that the Son is not a created being but is fully God, of the same substance (consubstantial) as the Father—a truth definitively affirmed at the Council of Nicaea. His persistence, even during exile and opposition, was crucial in preserving the Church's orthodox faith in the Holy Trinity.   His writings, particularly "The Life of St. Antony," a biography of the desert father that influenced the growth of monasticism in both the East and the West, are believed to have played a significant role in the conversion of St. Augustine. Saint Athanasius is a Doctor of the Church. In essence, Athanasius is remembered as the great champion of Christ's true divinity and a fearless guardian of the core truths of the Christian faith. He died in 373. The main message of today's treasure from a  discourse "On the Incarnation of the Word" by Saint Athanasius of Alexandria is that God the Son became truly human in Jesus Christ in order to save humanity from sin and death. Because human beings could not restore themselves to friendship with God, the Word of God took on our flesh, healed it from within, and through His death and Resurrection destroyed the power of death. Athanasius emphasizes that the Incarnation is not just a teaching but the very foundation of salvation: God became man so that humans might be restored to life, renewed in grace, and brought back into communion with God. Today's first reading from a passage from the Book of Wisdom (7:7–16, 22–30) explains that true wisdom is a gift from God that is more valuable than anything in the world. It shows that a righteous person does not seek riches, power, or fleeting pleasures, but instead treasures wisdom because it comes from God and leads to friendship with Him. This wisdom is described as pure, holy, and all-powerful, guiding people to live rightly and reflect God's goodness. Ultimately, the passage teaches that the deepest joy of the human heart is found not in created things, but in being united with God through His wisdom.