John 11:52 (WEB)
and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.
As quoted in the map (KJV)
John 11:52 (KJV)
And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
Key words
- τὰ τέκνα τοῦ θεοῦ τὰ διεσκορπισμέναta tekna tou theou ta dieskorpismena · Greek
- 'the children of God that were scattered abroad' — the family that Jesus' death gathers.
- συναγάγῃ εἰς ἕνsynagagē eis hen · Greek
- 'gather together in one' — the Church is born from the death of Jesus.
Why it matters
Jesus dies to gather the scattered children of God into one. Pitre quotes John Paul II's use of the verse (p 156): the evangelist himself presents the Church's birth as the fruit of the cross, and Mary, uniting herself to her Son's sacrifice, contributes to it 'in the form of labour pains.' She is Mother of the Church not because she bore Jesus but because she shared his passion.