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Objection 1: It would seem that it was unnecessary to announce to
the Blessed Virgin that which was to be done in her. For there seems
to have been no need of the Annunciation except for the purpose of
receiving the Virgin's consent. But her consent seems to have been
unnecessary: because the Virginal Conception was foretold by a
prophecy of "predestination," which is "fulfilled without our
consent," as a gloss says on Mt. 1:22. There was no need,
therefore, for this Annunciation.
Objection 2: Further, the Blessed Virgin believed in the
Incarnation, for to disbelieve therein excludes man from the way of
salvation; because, as the Apostle says (Rm. 3:22): "The
justice of God (is) by faith of Jesus Christ." But one needs no
further instruction concerning what one believes without doubt.
Therefore the Blessed Virgin had no need for the Incarnation of her
Son to be announced to her.
Objection 3: Further, just as the Blessed Virgin conceived
Christ in her body, so every pious soul conceives Him spiritually.
Thus the Apostle says (Gal. 4:19): "My little children, of
whom I am in labor again, until Christ be formed in you." But to
those who conceive Him spiritually no announcement is made of this
conception. Therefore neither should it have been announced to the
Blessed Virgin that she was to conceive the Son of God in her womb.
On the contrary, It is related (Lk. 1:31) that the angel said
to her: "Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring
forth a son."
I answer that, It was reasonable that it should be announced to the
Blessed Virgin that she was to conceive Christ. First, in order to
maintain a becoming order in the union of the Son of God with the
Virgin---namely, that she should be informed in mind concerning
Him, before conceiving Him in the flesh. Thus Augustine says (De
Sancta Virgin. iii): "Mary is more blessed in receiving the faith
of Christ, than in conceiving the flesh of Christ"; and further on
he adds: "Her nearness as a Mother would have been of no profit to
Mary, had she not borne Christ in her heart after a more blessed
manner than in her flesh."
Secondly, that she might be a more certain witness of this mystery,
being instructed therein by God.
Thirdly, that she might offer to God the free gift of her obedience:
which she proved herself right ready to do, saying: "Behold the
handmaid of the Lord."
Fourthly, in order to show that there is a certain spiritual wedlock
between the Son of God and human nature. Wherefore in the
Annunciation the Virgin's consent was besought in lieu of that of the
entire human nature.
Reply to Objection 1: The prophecy of predestination is fulfilled
without the causality of our will; not without its consent.
Reply to Objection 2: The Blessed Virgin did indeed believe
explicitly in the future Incarnation; but, being humble, she did not
think such high things of herself. Consequently she required
instruction in this matter.
Reply to Objection 3: The spiritual conception of Christ through
faith is preceded by the preaching of the faith, for as much as "faith
is by hearing" (Rm. 10:17). Yet man does not know for
certain thereby that he has grace; but he does know that the faith,
which he has received, is true.
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