The economy of salvation is so beautifully structured by God that it leaves us absolutely wonderstruck. Having chosen us before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4) God always desired – irrespective of our Fall – to reveal himself to us in His Son in our own form. Yet when He came to us we rejected Him (John 1:11).
God had foreknown that His creation would reject Him and even more kill Him. However, that did not inhibit Him from creating us. This reveals the unparalleled love of God. The humility of God knows no bounds for He was so gracious to create us “in time” (Gen. 1:1) so that He could wait outside knocking the doors of our hearts (Rev. 3:20) until we voluntarily let Him in. As Simone Weil, the French mystic puts it; “Time is God’s waiting as a beggar for our love.” What a marvel! The Creator begs His Creation!
The pedagogical purpose of time was ultimately fulfilled (Gal. 4:4) when a young virgin named Mary exhibited the nerve to receive, conceive and beget the Son of God. Through her response “Let it be”, Mary becomes the mouthpiece of humanity. As Fr Thomas Hopko remarks: “If Jesus Christ is the Savior, Mary is, par excellence, the image of the saved.”
Finally, God in His divine wisdom was particular to keep this entire economy of salvation discreet. As St. Ignatius of Antioch writes; “Now, Mary’s virginity and her giving birth escaped the notice of the prince of this world, as did the Lord’s death – those three secrets crying to be told, but wrought in God’s silence.”In a nutshell salvation is all about God deceiving the Great Deceiver (Rev. 12:9).
Blessed Feast of the Annunciation!
Dayroyo Fr. Basil
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