ACC ~ Luke 2 v22 - 24

MARY AND JESUS PLACE THEMSELVES UNDER THE LAW

BEDE: Mary, God’s blessed mother and a perpetual virgin, was, along with the Son she bore, most free from all subjection to the law. The law says that a woman who “had received seed” [1] and given birth was to be judged unclean and that after a long period she, along with the offspring she had borne, were to be cleansed by victims offered to God. So it is evident that the law does not describe as unclean that woman who, without receiving man’s seed, gave birth as a virgin. Nor does it so describe the son who was born to her. Nor does it teach that she had to be cleansed by saving sacrificial offerings. But as our Lord and Savior, who in his divinity was the one who gave the law, when he appeared as a human being, willed to be under the law. … So too his blessed mother, who by a singular privilege was above the law, nevertheless did not shun being made subject to the principles of the law for the sake of showing us an example of humility. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.18. [2]

[1] Lev 12:2 LXX.

[2] CS 110:180*.

THE CLOSED WOMB JESUS OPENS IS THE EAST DOOR OF THE TEMPLE

JEROME: All heretics have gone astray by not understanding the mystery of his nativity. The statement “he who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord” is more applicable to the special nativity of the Savior than to that of all men, for Christ alone opened the closed doors of the womb of virginity, which nevertheless remained permanently closed. This is the closed east door, through which only the high priest enters and leaves, and nevertheless it is always closed. AGAINST THE PELAGIANS 2.4. [1]

[1] FC 53:299.

SACRIFICES SHOW THE POVERTY OF MARY AND JOSEPH

ORIGEN: For this reason it seems wonderful that the sacrifice of Mary was not the first offering, that is, “a lamb a year old,” but the second, since “she could not afford” [1] the first. For as it was written about her, Jesus’ parents came “to offer a sacrifice” for him, “according to what is said in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.’” But this also shows the truth of what was written, that Jesus Christ “although he was rich, became a poor man.” [2] Therefore, for this reason, he chose both a poor mother, from whom he was born, and a poor homeland, about which it is said, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephratha, who are little to be among the clans of Judah,” [3] and the rest. HOMILIES ON LEVITICUS 8.4.3. [4]

[1] See Lev 5:7.

[2] 2 Cor 8:9.

[3] Mic 5:2.

[4] FC 83:159-60**.

CHASTITY OF BODY AND GRACE OF THE SPIRIT

AMBROSE: Let us come now to the turtledove, chosen as a chaste victim by the law of God. Hence, when the Lord was circumcised, the dove was offered, because it is written in the law that there should be a presentation of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” [1] For this is the true sacrifice of Christ: chastity of body and grace of the spirit. Chastity belongs to the turtledove; grace, to the pigeon. SIX DAYS OF CREATION 5.19.62. [2]

[1] Lev 12:8.

[2] FC 42:210.