Yet another post on the Franciscan thesis of the absolute primacy of Jesus Christ.
St. Francis de Sales held that the primary motive for the Incarnation was not the redemption of fallen man from sin, but that God willed the Incarnation first and foremost in order to "communicate Himself" to a creature in a most perfect way: "in such sort that the creature might be engrafted and implanted in the divinity, and become one single person with It". To this created nature, namely the Sacred Humanity of Christ, God "destined that incomparable honor of personal union with His Divine Majesty, to the end that for all eternity it might enjoy by excellence the treasures of His infinite glory."
He then predestined angels and men to grace and glory before the foundations of the world in Christ Jesus (cf. Eph 1:4). How good God is and how loving and generous to us, His handiwork! To choose us in Christ to be "holy and without blemish in His sight in charity". (Eph 1:4).
Praised be Jesus Christ!
To learn more about the two schools on the Incarnation watch this 8 minute video, The Cornerstone, which summarizes both schools, quoting the passage of St. Francis de Sales above.
Ping... Ad maximimum Dei gloriam!!!
Saint Francis de Sales,
Bishop & Doctor of the Church
Memorial
January 24th
Portrait of St. Francis de Sales by J. J. Owens (early 20th century)
St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) born in Thorens, Savoy, in France, was Bishop of Geneva; here he fought Calvinism vigorously. With St. Jane de Chantal, he founded the Order of the Visitation. He wrote Introduction to the Devout Life, a classic of spiritual direction. He died in Lyons and was canonized in 1665. In 1877, Pius IX proclaimed him Doctor of the Church. Pius XI declared him patron of journalists and other writers.
Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003