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 appeared. [Tit. 3:4] The Greek text reads: The singular love of God towards men appeared. St. Bernard says that from the beginning the world had seen the power of God in the creation, and His wisdom in the government of the world; but only afterwards, in the Incarnation of the Lord, was seen how great was His mercy. Before God was seen made Man upon earth, men could not conceive an idea of the Divine goodness; therefore did He take mortal flesh, that, appearing as Man, He might make plain to men the greatness of His benignity.

And in what manner could the Lord better display to thankless man His goodness and His love? Man, by despising God, says St. Fulgentius, put himself aloof from God forever; but as man was unable to return to God, God came in search of him on earth. And St. Augustine had already said as much: "Because we could not go to the Mediator, He condescended to come to us."

I will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands if love. [Osee 11:4] Men allow themselves to be drawn by love; the tokens of affection shown to them are a sort of chain which binds them, and in a manner forces them to love those who love them. For this end the Eternal Word chose to become Man, to draw to Himself by such a pledge