Michael Figura

“The ‘transformation’ that took place in the womb of the Virgin Mary, in which the eternal Logos became man by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, anticipates the transformation of bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus.”

Yet the spirit’s absolute desire, appetitus innatus (innate appetite) though it be, is simultaneously, in relation to man’s last end, an inefficacious desire. Although an absolute desire for the vision of God is inscribed in man’s nature, man cannot achieve this final fulfillment by his own power. This, then, is the ultimate core of the paradox of man: God has destined man for a fulfillment that transcends all of the creature’s expectations. . . .