not only human

St Irenaeus talks to us today about Jesus being human in A Year with the Church Fathers. And it's interesting to think of Jesus as being human.

It's interesting especially because it doesn't mean what we usually mean when we say "human." The word "human" connotes sinfulness. "I'm only human, after all," we say, meaning that we're not perfect. We make mistakes. We're human.

But Jesus was fully human, too. But without the fallenness. Without the sin. He was human.... but he wasn't ONLY human. We say, "I'm only human," but Jesus would not have said that. Because even though He WAS human... He wasn't only human. He was also fully God.

Today, we celebrate His incarnation. We commemorate the moment in which He became human in a very profound and universe changing way. It's a good time to meditate on His humanity.

Jesus was fully human, which meant that He could thirst. But He was also fully divine, which means He could walk on water. Not only could He do it, He could give the ability to others. If we have faith like Peter did, we can walk on water too. Or do even greater things than Jesus did in His lifetime. Just faith like a mustard seed. If you need it, ask for it. Believe me, God will answer that prayer with a yes. He wants you to have greater faith.

God, please help us to be more like You. Give us faith.