Jesus, Mercy Incarnate

3. The Infancy of Christ and the Struggle Against Sin Of course, the Catholic Church has never held that the Word became flesh merely to share our human condition, and to set a good example for us. In addition to that, and because of the conta- gion of sin and evil that afflicts His creation, our Lord’s coming, and every aspect of His coming, had of necessity to take the form of an emergency “rescue-operation,” a radical act of surgery on our stubborn and sin-plagued world. The same holds true for the Infancy of Christ. Here there was more than a divine act of sharing our lot, and showing us the way of spiritual childhood. In addition, out of His infinite and ineffable love, the saving power of God’s Mercy was actually displayed in the very helplessness and littleness of the Christ Child. By the weakness of His Infancy, Emmanuel, God with us, was actually able to disarm our fear and dread of Him. What sinner can possi- bly remain afraid of the Almighty, All-seeing, Thrice-Holy God when He comes among us in the form of a child: tender, weak, with infant tears and smiles? Thus, the divine power poured out for the cure of souls — the grace that enables us to surrender to God with confidence and trust — was present and operative in a uniquely disarming way when the Son of God took our flesh, and became a little child for us. 12 As Bl. Josemaría Escrivá once wrote: “He has become so small — you see: a Child! — so that you can approach him with confidence.” 13 St. Faustina also experienced the disarming power of the Christ Child in one of the most touching of her visions (diary entry no. 566): One day, after Holy Communion, I suddenly saw the Infant Jesus standing bymy kneeler and holding on to it withHis two little hands. Although He was but a little child, my soul was filled with awe and fear, for I see in Himmy Judge, my Lord, andmy Creator, before whose holiness theAngels tremble.At the same time, my soul was filled with such unspeakable love that I thought I would die under its influence. 28 Jesus, Mercy Incarnate