If you haven't read Pope Benedict XVI's new encyclical, you should. It's worth reading. It's intellectually rich, and yet written in a style that is both accessible and informative. Whatever else may be said of Pope Benedict XVI, he's an excellent teacher and communicator.
You can read the encyclical on the Vatican website here: Encyclical Letter, Spe Salvi, Of The Supreme Pontiff, Benedict XVI, To The Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Men And Women Religious, And All The Lay Faithful, On Christian Hope
From Zenit: Pope Benedict Sums Up "Spe Salvi", Says God Is Hope of the World
From Catholic News Agency: Spe Salvi – Pope's new encyclical calls for a rediscovery of hope
Rorate Caeli has a good insight here: Spe Salvi: the Anti-Gaudium et Spes
Sandro Magister of Chiesa News gives and overview here: "In hope we were saved", Pope Benedict's Second Encyclical
Science, reason, and progress fulfill many expectations, but they do not give "eternal life." Pope Joseph Ratzinger brings Christians and the world back before the judgment of God. And he proposes as examples two of the most humble and unknown saints.
* * *
The encyclical on hope "Spe Salvi," which Benedict XVI signed and published today, the feast of Saint Andrew and just two days before the beginning of Advent, was motivated by these factors described in paragraph 22:"A self-critique of modernity is needed in dialogue with Christianity and its concept of hope.
"In this dialogue Christians too, in the context of their knowledge and experience, must learn anew in what their hope truly consists, what they have to offer to the world and what they cannot offer.
"Flowing into this self-critique of the modern age there also has to be a self-critique of modern Christianity, which must constantly renew its self-understanding setting out from its roots."
In this twofold "self-criticism" of modern culture and Christianity, the pope continues, "reason and faith need one another in order to fulfil their true nature and their mission."
* * *
These few lines clearly show how strongly the encyclical is marked by Joseph Ratzinger as philosopher, theologian, and pope.
But it would be a mistake to expect to read in it nothing more than an erudite lecture. The style is vibrant, the exposition rich with imagery, and the narrative enlivened by a wide cast of characters.
The entire story of the world passes before the eyes of the reader, from its beginning to end. The final pages on Christ as judge, on hell, on purgatory, on paradise, are stunning for their mere presentation – having disappeared almost completely from the preaching in the churches – and even more for the way in which they are developed.
The text is required reading from start to finish, as is always the case for the writings of Benedict XVI, which never have just one key page or the easily isolated central passage.
I have not yet finished reading the encyclical, but intend to do so. It's very good and worth reading.
Any thoughts (especially if you've read Spe Salvi)?
The Holy Father has wonderful way of restating the immemorial catechism of the Church in Spe Salvi.
Everthing he teaches in Spe Salvi has always been taught in Catholic schools pre-Vatican II.
It was wonderful to see that Pope Benedict did not quote word one from the documents of VII.
I believe that the most important truth the Holy Father expounded upon in his encyclical was about the need to unite our human suffering with Christ's human and divine nature's.
Also the mention of "Stella Maris" was wholly edifying.
We have a great one with Pope Benedict.
Long live the Pope!
Posted by: Dan Hunter | Monday, December 03, 2007 at 02:38 PM
I love this site and keep the good work its inspirgtional. Conradinho from Nigeria.
Posted by: Jacobs conrad | Monday, September 29, 2008 at 06:54 PM
I love this site and keep the good work its inspirgtional. Conradinho from Nigeria.
Posted by: Jacobs conrad | Monday, September 29, 2008 at 07:05 PM