English
Documentation
Benedict XVI, source of light and strength
The 5th anniversary of the election of Benedict XVI
Bishop Javier Echevarria, Prelate of Opus Dei
It is five years since the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the successor of St Peter at the head of the Catholic Church. On April 2, 2005 Pope John Paul II died. Television channels offered unprecedented coverage of events in Rome. And in the atmosphere of grief and affection for the dead Pope which still pervaded Rome, on April 19, 2005 we first saw the lovable figure of the new the new Pope appear on the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.
How does Benedict XVI see his mission as head of the universal Church? In the Mass for the inauguration of his Pontificate, he explained that the work of the Shepherd might seem burdensome, but in reality it was “beautiful and wonderful, because it is truly a service to joy, to God’s joy which longs to break into the world.”
On the same occasion, he said that “There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel, by the encounter with Christ,” and “There is nothing more beautiful than to know Him and to speak to others of our friendship with Him” (Homily, 24 April 2005).
That is how the Pope understands his mission: to pass on to others the joy that comes from God. To awaken in the world a new dynamism of commitment in the human being’s response to God’s love.
In these five years of his pontificate, the Pope has undergone attacks stirred up by people who are determined to banish our Creator from the horizons of mankind. He has suffered because of the inconsistency and sins of some people who were called to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Mt 5:14-16). None of this should surprise us, because difficulties are part of life’s normal path for Christians. A disciple is not greater than his master, as Jesus Christ announced: “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you” (Jn 15:20). At the same time, we should not forget that our Lord added: “if they kept my word, they will keep yours also”.
Among our reasons for gratitude to Benedict XVI, I would like to highlight his constant labour to help us know that God is near us. This expression, taken from the title of a book by Cardinal Ratzinger about the Eucharist, is also an affectionate way of speaking about our Creator, whom faith shows to be loving, close to us, concerned for all that happens to the people he has created, as a modern-day saint has said.
St Josemaria frequently recalled that in our daily lives, we sometimes “live as though God were far away, in the heavens high above, and we forget that he is also continually by our side. He is there like a loving Father. He loves each of us more than all the mothers in the world can love their children – helping us, inspiring us, blessing... and forgiving” (The Way, 267).
This is the root of Christians’ indestructible optimism, which is nourished by the Holy Spirit, who never deserts the Church.
Historia docet: how often in the past twenty centuries, prophets of doom have announced the final collapse of Christ’s Church! And yet, borne up by the Paraclete, she has emerged from all trials younger, more beautiful and with renewed energy to lead people along the paths of salvation. We have seen it in these last years: the Pope’s intellectual and moral authority, his closeness and concern for those who suffer, his firmness in defence of Truth and Good, with constant charity, has strengthened men and women of all beliefs. The Roman Pontiff continues to be a source of light on the complex issues of today’s world.
As I fulfil my work as Bishop, thousands of people of good will – Catholics, non-Catholics and also many non-Christians – have told me that Benedict XVI’s reasoned and hope-filled responses to the various traumas of mankind have stimulated them to confirm their faith in the Gospel, come closer to the Church, and, above all to renew their interest in the “God who is near us” proclaimed by the Pope. Many of us feel enriched daily by Benedict’s joyful testimony, seasoned by the light of the faith, explained with intelligent reasons, in crystal-clear language, and backed up by the evidence of his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. May God preserve him for us for many years to guide the Church, for the benefit of all mankind.
Bishop Javier Echevarria, Prelate of Opus Dei
The Pope Benedict XVI with Mons. Jarvier Echevarría, Opus Dei Prelate, 2007
It is five years since the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the successor of St Peter at the head of the Catholic Church. On April 2, 2005 Pope John Paul II died. Television channels offered unprecedented coverage of events in Rome. And in the atmosphere of grief and affection for the dead Pope which still pervaded Rome, on April 19, 2005 we first saw the lovable figure of the new the new Pope appear on the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.
How does Benedict XVI see his mission as head of the universal Church? In the Mass for the inauguration of his Pontificate, he explained that the work of the Shepherd might seem burdensome, but in reality it was “beautiful and wonderful, because it is truly a service to joy, to God’s joy which longs to break into the world.”
On the same occasion, he said that “There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel, by the encounter with Christ,” and “There is nothing more beautiful than to know Him and to speak to others of our friendship with Him” (Homily, 24 April 2005).
That is how the Pope understands his mission: to pass on to others the joy that comes from God. To awaken in the world a new dynamism of commitment in the human being’s response to God’s love.
In these five years of his pontificate, the Pope has undergone attacks stirred up by people who are determined to banish our Creator from the horizons of mankind. He has suffered because of the inconsistency and sins of some people who were called to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Mt 5:14-16). None of this should surprise us, because difficulties are part of life’s normal path for Christians. A disciple is not greater than his master, as Jesus Christ announced: “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you” (Jn 15:20). At the same time, we should not forget that our Lord added: “if they kept my word, they will keep yours also”.
Among our reasons for gratitude to Benedict XVI, I would like to highlight his constant labour to help us know that God is near us. This expression, taken from the title of a book by Cardinal Ratzinger about the Eucharist, is also an affectionate way of speaking about our Creator, whom faith shows to be loving, close to us, concerned for all that happens to the people he has created, as a modern-day saint has said.
St Josemaria frequently recalled that in our daily lives, we sometimes “live as though God were far away, in the heavens high above, and we forget that he is also continually by our side. He is there like a loving Father. He loves each of us more than all the mothers in the world can love their children – helping us, inspiring us, blessing... and forgiving” (The Way, 267).
This is the root of Christians’ indestructible optimism, which is nourished by the Holy Spirit, who never deserts the Church.
Historia docet: how often in the past twenty centuries, prophets of doom have announced the final collapse of Christ’s Church! And yet, borne up by the Paraclete, she has emerged from all trials younger, more beautiful and with renewed energy to lead people along the paths of salvation. We have seen it in these last years: the Pope’s intellectual and moral authority, his closeness and concern for those who suffer, his firmness in defence of Truth and Good, with constant charity, has strengthened men and women of all beliefs. The Roman Pontiff continues to be a source of light on the complex issues of today’s world.
As I fulfil my work as Bishop, thousands of people of good will – Catholics, non-Catholics and also many non-Christians – have told me that Benedict XVI’s reasoned and hope-filled responses to the various traumas of mankind have stimulated them to confirm their faith in the Gospel, come closer to the Church, and, above all to renew their interest in the “God who is near us” proclaimed by the Pope. Many of us feel enriched daily by Benedict’s joyful testimony, seasoned by the light of the faith, explained with intelligent reasons, in crystal-clear language, and backed up by the evidence of his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. May God preserve him for us for many years to guide the Church, for the benefit of all mankind.
Prayer
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