Part IV (Tertia Pars) Part 62 (1/2)

We must now consider Christ's circ.u.mcision. And since the circ.u.mcision is a kind of profession of observing the Law, according to Gal. 5:3: ”I testify ... to every man circ.u.mcising himself that he is a debtor to do the whole Law,” we shall have at the same time to inquire about the other legal observances accomplished in regard to the Child Christ. Therefore there are four points of inquiry:

(1) His circ.u.mcision;

(2) The imposition of His name;

(3) His presentation;

(4) His Mother's purification.

_______________________

FIRST ARTICLE [III, Q. 37, Art. 1]

Whether Christ Should Have Been Circ.u.mcised?

Objection 1: It would seem that Christ should not have been circ.u.mcised. For on the advent of the reality, the figure ceases. But circ.u.mcision was prescribed to Abraham as a sign of the covenant concerning his posterity, as may be seen from Gen. 17. Now this covenant was fulfilled in Christ's birth. Therefore circ.u.mcision should have ceased at once.

Obj. 2: Further, ”every action of Christ is a lesson to us” [*Innoc.

III, Serm. xxii de Temp.]; wherefore it is written (John 3:15): ”I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also.” But we ought not to be circ.u.mcised; according to Gal. 5:2: ”If you be circ.u.mcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.” Therefore it seems that neither should Christ have been circ.u.mcised.

Obj. 3: Further, circ.u.mcision was prescribed as a remedy of original sin. But Christ did not contract original sin, as stated above (Q.

14, A. 3; Q. 15, A. 1). Therefore Christ should not have been circ.u.mcised.

_On the contrary,_ It is written (Luke 2:21): ”After eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circ.u.mcised.”

_I answer that,_ For several reasons Christ ought to have been circ.u.mcised. First, in order to prove the reality of His human nature, in contradiction to the Manicheans, who said that He had an imaginary body: and in contradiction to Apollinarius, who said that Christ's body was consubstantial with His G.o.dhead; and in contradiction to Valentine, who said that Christ brought His body from heaven. Secondly, in order to show His approval of circ.u.mcision, which G.o.d had inst.i.tuted of old. Thirdly, in order to prove that He was descended from Abraham, who had received the commandment of circ.u.mcision as a sign of his faith in Him. Fourthly, in order to take away from the Jews an excuse for not receiving Him, if He were uncirc.u.mcised. Fifthly, ”in order by His example to exhort us to be obedient” [*Bede, Hom. x in Evang.]. Wherefore He was circ.u.mcised on the eighth day according to the prescription of the Law (Lev. 12:3).

Sixthly, ”that He who had come in the likeness of sinful flesh might not reject the remedy whereby sinful flesh was wont to be healed.”

Seventhly, that by taking on Himself the burden of the Law, He might set others free therefrom, according to Gal. 4:4, 5: ”G.o.d sent His Son ... made under the Law, that He might redeem them who were under the Law.”

Reply Obj. 1: Circ.u.mcision by the removal of the piece of skin in the member of generation, signified ”the pa.s.sing away of the old generation” [*Athanasius, De Sabb. et Circ.u.mcis.]: from the decrepitude of which we are freed by Christ's Pa.s.sion. Consequently this figure was not completely fulfilled in Christ's birth, but in His Pa.s.sion, until which time the circ.u.mcision retained its virtue and status. Therefore it behooved Christ to be circ.u.mcised as a son of Abraham before His Pa.s.sion.

Reply Obj. 2: Christ submitted to circ.u.mcision while it was yet of obligation. And thus His action in this should be imitated by us, in fulfilling those things which are of obligation in our own time.

Because ”there is a time and opportunity for every business” (Eccl 8:6).

Moreover, according to Origen (Hom. xiv in Luc.), ”as we died when He died, and rose again when Christ rose from the dead, so were we circ.u.mcised spiritually through Christ: wherefore we need no carnal circ.u.mcision.” And this is what the Apostle says (Col. 2:11): ”In whom,” [i.e. Christ] ”you are circ.u.mcised with circ.u.mcision not made by hand in despoiling of the body of the flesh, but in the circ.u.mcision of” our Lord Jesus ”Christ.”

Reply Obj. 3: As Christ voluntarily took upon Himself our death, which is the effect of sin, whereas He had no sin Himself, in order to deliver us from death, and to make us to die spiritually unto sin, so also He took upon Himself circ.u.mcision, which was a remedy against original sin, whereas He contracted no original sin, in order to deliver us from the yoke of the Law, and to accomplish a spiritual circ.u.mcision in us--in order, that is to say, that, by taking upon Himself the shadow, He might accomplish the reality.

_______________________

SECOND ARTICLE [III, Q. 37, Art. 2]

Whether His Name Was Suitably Given to Christ?

Objection 1: It would seem that an unsuitable name was given to Christ. For the Gospel reality should correspond to the prophetic foretelling. But the prophets foretold another name for Christ: for it is written (Isa. 7:14): ”Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel”; and (Isa. 8:3): ”Call His name, Hasten to take away the spoils; Make haste to take away the prey”; and (Isa. 9:6): ”His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor G.o.d the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace”; and (Zech. 6:12): ”Behold a Man, the Orient is His name.”

Thus it was unsuitable that His name should be called Jesus.

Obj. 2: Further, it is written (Isa. 62:2): ”Thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord hath named [Vulg.: 'shall name'].” But the name Jesus is not a new name, but was given to several in the Old Testament: as may be seen in the genealogy of Christ (Luke 3:29), ”Therefore it seems that it was unfitting for His name to be called Jesus.”

Obj. 3: Further, the name Jesus signifies ”salvation”; as is clear from Matt. 1:21: ”She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus. For He shall save His people from their sins.” But salvation through Christ was accomplished not only in the circ.u.mcision, but also in uncirc.u.mcision, as is declared by the Apostle (Rom. 4:11, 12). Therefore this name was not suitably given to Christ at His circ.u.mcision.