The Irony of Virginity
Gregory of Tours affirmed, “I believe that the blessed Mary was a virgin after the birth she was a virgin before.” It is ironic for a woman to remain a virgin after conceiving and even bearing a child. Mary’s ironic virginity underscores the mysticism and holiness of Christ. If Jesus were an ordinary human, then the virginity would not have remained after his conception and delivery.
The Irony of Martin “Resurrecting the Dead”
Gregory of Tours reports, “At that time our light arose and Gaul was traversed by the rays of a new lamp, that is, the most blessed Martin then began to preach in the Gauls…he completed his title to fame by restoring three dead men to life.” In the conventional times, resurrecting the dead is an impossibility. Martin’s alleged ability to resurrect the men which is ironic, underscores the power of Christ for he allegedly resurrects them in Christ’s name. The resurrection is a motif in Christ’s life which accentuates his divineness and supremacy over mortality.
The Irony of Paradise
Gregory of Tours elucidates, “These first human beings lived happily in the pleasant place of Paradise. Then they were enticed by the Serpents’ guile and transgressed the divine commandments, and were expelled from the angelic abode.” This overt Biblical allusion is ironic: the serpent should not have been present in the utopian abode because he represents evilness. Furthermore, God is powerful enough to prevent the devil from corrupting the pioneer humans.
The Irony of “Shed Brother’s blood”
Gregory of Tours writes, “when God graciously accepted the sacrifice offered by one of these, the other was inflamed with jealousy and he swelled up with anger. He was the first man to shed his brother’s blood and to murder a member of his own family.” Here Gregory of tours is referring to Cain. Cain’s blood relationship with his brother should have nurtured love between them instead of envy. Cain’s murderous act demonstrates that blood relationships are not a guarantee of unconditional love. Blood bonds can transform into enmity.
The Irony of Enoch
Gregory of Tours expounds, "From that moment onwards the entire human race never ceased to commit one execrable crime after another, except Enoch the just, who walked with God. Because of his righteousness he was taken up by God Himself and delivered from the midst of a sinful people." Enoch's righteousness is ironic because he resides in a world where everyone is inherently wicked. His holiness demonstrates that humanity can choose to be holy instead of joining the bandwagon of sin. Besides, his 'disappearance' is ironic considering the inevitability of mortality among humans. The disappearance underscores his mysticism which is not common among sinful humanity.
