cheap; Wisdom is lying there on the earth. In the beginning was the Word, and
SERMON 196 61 himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men (Phil 2:7). Where? In the virgin Mary. So let us say something about that, as far as we can. The angel makes the announcement, the virgin hears, believes, and conceives; faith in the mind, Christ in the womb.3 The virgin conceived; you're astonished; the virgin gave birth; you're more astonished still; after giving birth she remained a virgin. So this begetting too who will tell the tale of?
Three kinds of life in the Church
2. Let me tell you something to delight you, dearest friends. There are three kinds of life in the Church of the members of Christ: the married, the widowed, the virginal. Because these kinds of life, these forms of chastity were going to be found among the holy members of Christ, all three of them bore witness to Christ. First, the married life: when Mary the virgin conceived, Elizabeth the wife of Zachary had also conceived; she was carrying in her womb the herald of this Judge.4 Holy Mary came to her to see how she was and greet her. The infant leapt in Elizabeth's womb. He leapt, she prophesied.5 There you have the testimony of married chastity.
Where is the widowed sort? In Anna. You heard just now when the gospel was read that she was a holy prophetess, a widow for eighty-four years, who had lived seven years with her husband,6 and how she used to frequent the temple of the Lord, serving with prayers night and day. And this widow recognized Christ. She saw him so small, she recognized his greatness. She too gave her testimony.7 You have in her the widowed form of life, in Mary the virginal.
Let each of you choose from these three kinds of life whichever you wish. Anybody who chooses a life outside the scope of these three is not disposed to be among the members of Christ. Married women mustn't say, "We don't belong to Christ"; there have been holy women who had husbands. Virgins mustn't give themselves airs; however great they may be, they should humble themselves on all occasions, among all sorts of people.8 All the models of salvation have been set before our eyes; let nobody deviate out of orbit.9 No one besides your wife; better without a wife. If you are looking for an example of married chastity, you have Susanna;10 if of widowed, you have Anna; if of virginal, you have Mary.
We have Christ as an infant;
let us grow up with him
3. The Lord Jesus wished to be a man for our sakes. Don't hold this kindness cheap; Wisdom is lying there on the earth. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (Jn 1:1). O food and bread of the angels! The angels take their fill of you, they are contented with you, and they don't grow tired of you; they derive their life from you, their wise judgment from you, their bliss from you. And where are you for my sake? In a cramped and crowded hostelry, in rags, in a manger.