Ave Maria Meditations
Christ Jesus is the Incarnate Word appearing in the midst of us, at once God and man, true God and true man, perfect God and perfect man. In Him two natures are inseparably united in one person, the Person of the Word. These traits constitute the very being of Jesus. Our faith and piety adore Him as our God while confessing the touching reality of His humanity.
And it is most noteworthy that the names which designate the very person of the Incarnate Word declare at the same time His mission and characterize His work. These names are not lacking in significance. They come from heaven and are rich in meaning. What are these names? They are many, but the church has especially retained two of them: that of Jesus, and that of Christ.
Christ means one who is anointed, sacred, consecrated…The Name of Christ, like the mission of a king, prophet and pontiff which it designates, was given to several personages in the Old Testament before being given to the Incarnate Word. But none save Himself could fulfill its signification in all its fullness. He is the Christ, for He alone is the King of Ages, the Prophet preeminently, the one supreme and universal High Priest.
Blessed Columba Marmion
