"He portrays himself as bravely standing up to 'dominent opinion'." It is interesting to see how these things happen before our very eyes.
The sermon is now available in English. If anyone cares, here is "[a] defiant Pope Benedict XVI indicat[ing] yesterday that he would not be intimidated by the clerical sex abuse crisis":
"The Gospel for the blessing of the palms that we have listened to together here in St. Peter's Square begins with the phrase: "Jesus went ahead of everyone going up to Jerusalem" (Luke 19:28). Immediately at the beginning of the liturgy this day, the Church anticipates her response to the Gospel, saying, "Let us follow the Lord." With that the theme of Palm Sunday is clearly expressed. It is about following. Being Christian means seeing the way of Jesus Christ as the right way of being human -- as that way that leads to the goal, to a humanity that is fully realized and authentic. In a special way, I would like to repeat to all the young men and women, on this 25th World Youth Day, that being Christian is a journey, or better: It is a pilgrimage, it is a going with Jesus Christ. A going in that direction that he has pointed out to us and is pointing out to us.
"But what direction are we talking about? How do we find it? The line from our Gospel offers two indications in this connection. In the first place it says that it is a matter of an ascent. This has in the first place a very literal meaning. Jericho, where the last stage of Jesus's pilgrimage began, is 250 meters below sea-level while Jerusalem -- the goal of the journey -- is 740-780 meters above sea level: an ascent of almost 1,000 meters. But this external rout is above all an image of the interior movement of existence, which occurs in the following of Christ: It is an ascent to the true height of being human. Man can choose an easy path and avoid all toil. He can also descend to what is lower. He can sink into lies and dishonesty. Jesus goes ahead of us, and he goes up to what is above. He leads us to what is great, pure, he leads us to the healthy air of the heights: to life according to truth; to the courage that does not let itself be intimidated by the gossip of dominant opinions; to the patience that stands up for and supports the other. He leads us to availability to the suffering, to the abandoned; to the loyalty that stands with the other even when the situation makes it difficult.
"He leads us to availability to bring help; to the goodness that does not let itself be disarmed not even by ingratitude. He leads us to love -- he leads us to God."
And no, I don't think, when talking about "we" and "us" that he was talking just about himself. But you can read.
Mrs. H and the kids are doing good. We all went to a kite festival this past weekend and had a blast.
I'm still not sure about what to think about this, since I grew up with Catholic=Evil Non-Christians drilled into my head. Seems the hierarchy is doing its damndest to prove them right.
"Power corrupts: absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Mimi,
ReplyDeleteI'm going to post this to my facebook page, if it's ok.
Sure, Hillbilly. Use the links at the bottom of the post to give credit.
ReplyDeleteHow are you and Mrs. H?
"He portrays himself as bravely standing up to 'dominent opinion'." It is interesting to see how these things happen before our very eyes.
ReplyDeleteThe sermon is now available in English. If anyone cares, here is "[a] defiant Pope Benedict XVI indicat[ing] yesterday that he would not be intimidated by the clerical sex abuse crisis":
"The Gospel for the blessing of the palms that we have listened to together here in St. Peter's Square begins with the phrase: "Jesus went ahead of everyone going up to Jerusalem" (Luke 19:28). Immediately at the beginning of the liturgy this day, the Church anticipates her response to the Gospel, saying, "Let us follow the Lord." With that the theme of Palm Sunday is clearly expressed. It is about following. Being Christian means seeing the way of Jesus Christ as the right way of being human -- as that way that leads to the goal, to a humanity that is fully realized and authentic. In a special way, I would like to repeat to all the young men and women, on this 25th World Youth Day, that being Christian is a journey, or better: It is a pilgrimage, it is a going with Jesus Christ. A going in that direction that he has pointed out to us and is pointing out to us.
"But what direction are we talking about? How do we find it? The line from our Gospel offers two indications in this connection. In the first place it says that it is a matter of an ascent. This has in the first place a very literal meaning. Jericho, where the last stage of Jesus's pilgrimage began, is 250 meters below sea-level while Jerusalem -- the goal of the journey -- is 740-780 meters above sea level: an ascent of almost 1,000 meters. But this external rout is above all an image of the interior movement of existence, which occurs in the following of Christ: It is an ascent to the true height of being human. Man can choose an easy path and avoid all toil. He can also descend to what is lower. He can sink into lies and dishonesty. Jesus goes ahead of us, and he goes up to what is above. He leads us to what is great, pure, he leads us to the healthy air of the heights: to life according to truth; to the courage that does not let itself be intimidated by the gossip of dominant opinions; to the patience that stands up for and supports the other. He leads us to availability to the suffering, to the abandoned; to the loyalty that stands with the other even when the situation makes it difficult.
"He leads us to availability to bring help; to the goodness that does not let itself be disarmed not even by ingratitude. He leads us to love -- he leads us to God."
And no, I don't think, when talking about "we" and "us" that he was talking just about himself. But you can read.
Thank you, Rick.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you, Mimi. Your neighborhood is always a little more genteel on these matters than others. I already begin to regret even getting into this.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, have a good Holy Week and Easter.
Rick, I've never thought of my blog as genteel, but I take your words as a compliment.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed Holy Week and a Happy Easter.
Mimi,
ReplyDeleteMrs. H and the kids are doing good. We all went to a kite festival this past weekend and had a blast.
I'm still not sure about what to think about this, since I grew up with Catholic=Evil Non-Christians drilled into my head. Seems the hierarchy is doing its damndest to prove them right.
"Power corrupts: absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Hillbilly, I'm pleased you and your family are well.
ReplyDelete"Power corrupts: absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Absolutely spot on.
Ah well, he's unlikely to come this far north so I wont paint my banner just yet.
ReplyDeleteDP, you northern English folk will just have to limp along without his moral guidance.
ReplyDelete