One Lord Jesus Christ

The mystery of the Incarnation is… a mystery. It is therefore no surprise that some ideas are tossed around from time to time that are off track, even by priests and bishops. In fact, one very prominent bishop was found spreading the idea that Mary did not give birth to a person, but only a nature.

As obscure as this bishop’s idea sounds, it poses a division within Christ, making it seem almost as if there were two Christs: one human, one divine.

In fact, there is only one Lord Jesus Christ. Mary gave birth to Jesus: a single person fully human and fully divine. Mary can thus be called Mother of God (Mother in the sense of giving birth to One who is God, not in the sense that she was the cause of God).

The expression “Mother of God” is therefore primarily an affirmation of the unity of the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To clarify the situation, the Pope sent representatives, but the misguided bishop resisted and tried to get other bishops on his side. A number of bishops did gather, but they sided with the Pope. The bishop then retired to a monastery.

The resolution of this controversy was widely celebrated. In this spirit of celebration, the Pope renovated and dedicated a church under the title of Mary Mother of God. Today, almost 16 centuries later, it is known as the Basilica of St. Mary Major and its dedication is commemorated throughout the world.