Why do Catholics call Mary the Mother of God? This homily explains the title Theotokos by answering the question at its heart: Who is Jesus Christ?

Jesus is one divine Person—the eternal Son of God—with two complete natures, divine and human. Mary’s motherhood does not mean she existed before God or gave Him His divinity. She is truly the mother of Jesus according to His humanity, and the Person she bore is God the Son.

The sermon explores the controversy addressed at the Council of Ephesus in 431 and St. Cyril of Alexandria’s defense of Christ’s unity. It distinguishes the Catholic understanding of the Incarnation from the ideas that Jesus was merely adopted by God, only appeared human, or became divine later in life.

The reflection also considers the dignity of our humanity in Christ, the confidence we can place in Our Lady’s intercession, and the ancient Marian prayer Sub Tuum Praesidium: “Under your mercy we take refuge, Mother of God.”

Finally, a passage from St. Cyril’s letter recalls the rejoicing at Ephesus after the council’s judgment. We are invited to share that faith and joy, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary while drawing closer to her divine Son.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners!

00:00 Introduction: The feast of Mary’s Divine Motherhood
00:33 The controversy at Ephesus in 431
01:04 One divine Person and two natures
01:30 Why Mary is truly the Mother of God
01:49 Mary did not exist before God
02:01 Motherhood and the Person of the eternal Word
02:23 Marian doctrine reveals the truth about Christ
03:01 Who is Jesus?
03:12 Jesus is not merely a man adopted by God
03:24 His humanity is real and complete
04:08 Jesus did not become divine later in life
04:33 Christ is one Person, not two
05:03 The Incarnation reveals God’s love for mankind
06:20 Divine motherhood and Christ’s true humanity
06:59 Mary’s dignity and her intercession for sinners
07:39 St. Cyril’s defense of Theotokos
07:58 The ancient prayer Sub Tuum Praesidium
08:43 The Greek papyrus and the dating discussed in the homily
09:31 Returning to Ephesus through St. Cyril’s letter
10:16 The people’s rejoicing after the council
11:09 Sharing their faith and joy today
11:24 Closing Marian invocation and blessing
11:50 Sensus Fidelium app and sponsor messages

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