Church, mystical Eve

In the essay “The Church, Mystical Eve” by St. Ambrose of Milan offers a theological interpretation of the biblical account of the creation of woman from Adam's rib (Gen. 2:21–22). The author draws on the apostolic epistles (primarily Eph. 5:30–32) to show that the biblical image of “two into one flesh” points to the mysterious union of Christ and the Church. The saint develops an allegorical line: Christ appears as the “new Adam”, and the rib removed from His side (reminiscent of the piercing by a spear on the Cross, when blood and water flowed out - symbols of the sacraments) symbolizes the Church. St. Ambrose emphasizes the spiritual, not the physical, nature of this “rib”: the Holy Spirit gives Himself to believers without being divided. Thus, the Church is “Eve, the mother of all living,” founded by God on the cornerstone of Christ and forming the spiritual Church. The author reflects on the purpose of the Church as a helper of Christ, created not for Himself, but for believers striving for grace. He portrays the Church as a spiritual building built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. The Church is the eternal City, which will be raptured into heaven. After the creation of man, Moses told us that God also created woman: “And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon man; and when he fell asleep, he took one of his ribs and covered that place with flesh. And the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken from the man” (Gen. 2:21–22). Such an act of God calls me to understand something greater than what I read. The Apostle comes to the aid of my searches, and when I cannot understand the words: “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” or others: “she will be called woman; for she was taken away from man” (Gen. 2:23), - then he reveals their meaning to me in the Spirit of God, saying: “This mystery is great.” What secret? “And the two will become one flesh,” and “for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,” and again: “we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones” (Eph. 5:30–32). Who is this man for whom the wife leaves her parents? She who leaves her parents is the Church gathered from the pagan nations, the Church to which was the prophetic word: “Forget your people and your father’s house” (Ps. 44:11). Who is this man if not the One about whom John the Baptist spoke: “He who comes after me has stood before me” (John 1:15)? From his side, during his sleep, God took a rib, for He, in fact, slept, and rested, and rose again, because the Lord took it. But what kind of rib is this if not strength, virtue? When the warrior pierced His side, immediately blood and water flowed out from there for the life of the world. This virtue, this life of the world - this is what the side of Christ is. The rib of the new Adam, for the first Adam was created with a living soul, but the second is the life-giving Spirit. This second Adam is Christ; The side of Christ is the life of the Church. And therefore we are members of His Body, formed from His flesh and His bones. And perhaps He once said about this rib: “I felt the power that came out of Me” (Luke 8:46)? Such is the rib that was taken out of Christ without damaging His body, but this rib is not physical, but spiritual, for the Spirit is not divided in itself, but gives itself to everyone who wishes. Such is Eve, the mother of all living. This Mother is the Church. God founded it on the Cornerstone, on which the whole Building rises, firmly united to represent the Church of God. So let God appear! May He create this wife, this helper for Adam - Christ. Is it not because Christ needs a helper for Himself, but for the sake of us, who strive and strive in the Church for the grace of Christ. Now this Church is being created, now this woman is being created. This is why Scripture resorts to a new word; we are “built,” says the Apostle Paul, “on the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Eph. 2:20). Now the spiritual dwelling is growing into a sanctuary. - Come, Lord! Create this wife, build this city. For I believe that He will “build me a city.” Here is a wife, the mother of all, here is a spiritual house, here is a city whose life is eternity, for death is unknown to it. He himself is the Jerusalem that is now visible on earth, but someday he will be raptured above Elijah, transferred above Enoch. Enoch was taken away out of fear that his heart might become infected with malice, but Christ loved this city as His wife, glorious and holy, without spot or blemish. And how much better that instead of one person the whole body should be caught up! This is the hope of the Church. Yes, she will be raptured, taken, and transfigured in heaven. Elijah was carried away in a chariot of fire; the Church will also be taken away. Don't you believe me? Believe at least the Apostle Paul, about whom Christ spoke; “We... will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17). Who was not sent to build this City! Patriarchs were sent, prophets were sent. Archangel Gabriel and countless hordes of angels worked on him; and now all the heavenly host praises and glorifies God, for the completion of the City is near. Many were sent to him, but only Christ creates him - not alone, for the Father is with Him. But even if He alone were to build it, He would not take upon Himself the honor of such a great creation. When Solomon built his church, it is written that he had seventy thousand men carrying weights on their shoulders, eighty thousand stonemasons, and three thousand three hundred supervising the construction. May all the angels come, the heavenly stone grinders. Let them sharpen everything that is bumpy on these stones, which we ourselves are, let them remove every unevenness from us. May they come to load us on their shoulders! For it is written: “And they will bring their sons...on their shoulders” (Is.49:22). You might be interested in: