"The Word became flesh" (Jn 1:14). This is a most shocking revelation. We believe that the almighty, all-holy God, Who created an awesome universe spanning millions of light-years, became a human being smaller than your thumbnail. We believe God was implanted in the uterus of a teenager named Mary. We believe God had to have His diaper changed, talked baby-talk, fell on His rear end when He tried to walk, slobbered on His foster-father, spat up on His mother, nursed at Mary's breast, and threw His food on the floor. Christianity is the only world religion that believes God became man. The Incarnation seems blasphemous to non-Christian religions.

Christianity is also the only world religion which believes in a personal relationship with God. For human beings, a personal relationship is only possible with other human beings. To personally relate to someone, we need someone whom we are able to touch, hear, and see. Only when God became Man was it possible to have a personal relationship with Him.

Our personal relationship with God began with the Incarnation and continues through the Holy Spirit even after the ascension of Christ's physical body into heaven. The Holy Spirit puts us in touch with the person of Jesus through Christ's body, the Church, and the sacraments, especially Jesus' body and blood in the Eucharist. Today's feast day, the Annunciation, celebrates the beginning of love that comes only in a personal relationship. Praise Jesus, Who is God, Man, and Love! (1 Jn 4:16)

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 26, 2009

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