The
expression Theotokos, which literally means, "she who has begotten
God," can at first sight seem surprising. In fact it raises the question
as to how it is possible for a human creature to give birth to God.
The answer of
the Church's faith is clear: Mary's divine motherhood refers only to the
human begetting of the Son of God but not, however, to his divine
birth. The Son of God was eternally begotten of God the Father, and is
consubstantial with him. Mary, of course has no part in this eternal
birth.
However, the Son
of God assumed our human nature 2,000 years ago and was conceived by
and born of Mary. In proclaiming Mary "Mother of God," the Church thus
intends to affirm that she is the "Mother of the Incarnate Word, who is
God." Her motherhood does not, therefore, extend to all the Trinity, but
only to the Second Person, the Son, who, in becoming incarnate took his
human nature from her…
A mother is not
only mother of the body or of the physical creature born of her womb,
but of the person she begets. Thus having given birth, according to his
human nature, to the person of Jesus, who is a divine person, Mary is
the Mother of God.
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