Images of Gratitude
On January 16th honorary citizenship of the City of Freising was conferred upon Pope Benedict. He gave a brief, but moving talk, replete with images of grateful memory and hope. Here is a portion of what he shared:
Today Munich airport is located at the gates of Freising. Those who land or take off from there see the towers of Freising Cathedral, they see the mons doctus, and can perhaps understand a little of its past history and of its present. Freising has always had a sweeping view of the chain of the Alps. By means of the airport it has become, in a certain sense, also global and open to the world. And yet I want to say: the Cathedral with its towers points upwards to heights that are loftier by far and very different from those we reach in airplanes; the true heights, the heights of God from whom comes the love that gives us authentic humanity. Yet the Cathedral does not only indicate the loftiness of God who forms us and shows us the way, but also indicates an expanse, and this is not only because the Cathedral embraces centuries of faith and prayer, because it contains, so to speak, the whole community of saints, of all those who went before us who believed, prayed, suffered and rejoiced. It indicates, in general, the great host of all believers of all time. Thus it also shows a vastness which goes beyond globalization, because, in diversity, even in the different cultures and origins, it gives the strength of inner unity, in other words it gives that which can unite us: the unifying power of being loved by God. Thus for me Freising also continues to point out a path.
The rest is here.
on February 1st, 2010 at 9:41 am
What “mons” is the Pope referring to when he speaks of the “mons doctus”, the “learned mountain”? Thanks in advance for the info!
on February 1st, 2010 at 9:49 am
Google has the answer. The mons doctus is a hill that was once the site of a Benedictine Abbey and is now the location of institutions of learning. As a learned Bavarian the Pope would naturally speak of the “mons doctus” without further identifying it.
on February 1st, 2010 at 10:15 am
Ah yes, the Cathedral. It appears quite rapidly just as Christianity declines quite rapidly. Usually the work of the poor. Which final work the poor is rarely invited. Certainly their children will not be invited to marry there. Great empty cathedrals. Symbols of wordly dreams. In actuality gaudy marble. Symbols more of the rich man, than Lazarus.
on February 1st, 2010 at 10:31 am
What a beautiful testimony. Thank you, Father.
on February 1st, 2010 at 10:39 am
“Yet the Cathedral does not only indicate the loftiness of God who forms us and shows us the way, but also indicates an expanse, and this is not only because the Cathedral embraces centuries of faith and prayer, because it contains, so to speak, the whole community of saints, of all those who went before us who believed, prayed, suffered and rejoiced.”
At the Liturgical Institute at University of St. Mary of the Lake (the seminary associated with the Chicago Archdiocese), their programs include Morning and Evening Prayer chanted from the Mundelein Psalter, prayed in the university’s chapel, a rather traditional space with lively accoustics. They tell attendees that there is spiritual meaning in the echoes of our chanting voices: it symbolizes the saints and angels praying along with us, singing praise to God.
on February 1st, 2010 at 11:37 am
Benedict should be given an honorary architectural degree. On his trips he rarely misses an opportunity to comment, often very astutely, about the buildings he encounters.
After he finishes his next volume on Jesus he should work on an architectural guidebook for Christendom. And if he should ever need some extra money he could turn a handsome profit working part-time as a tour guide in Rome.
on February 1st, 2010 at 11:59 am
Beautiful reflection that I would have missed if you didn’t post it here — thanks Fr. Imbelli!
It’s wonderful how often Benedict returns to the theme of friendship with Jesus (I’m reminded of Origen who often used the phrase “my Jesus” in his homilies). The Pope describes a moment during his ordination in the Freising Cathedral:
“Then there was also the old rite in which the power to forgive sins was conferred at a separate moment. It began when the Bishop, pronouncing the Lord’s words, said: “No longer do I call you servants… but… friends”. And I knew we knew that this is not only a quotation from John 15 but a timely word that the Lord is addressing to me now. He accepts me as a friend; I am in this friendly relationship; he has given me his trust and I can work within this friendship and make others friends of Christ.”
That’s what Christianity is all about.
on February 1st, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Fr Imbelli,
Thanks for this. I too most certainly have missed this if you hadn’t posted it. It has lifted my spirits and turned my thoughts to God, even for a moment.
It is important for us to be reminded of truths such as this. For it is far easier to succumb to the “prophets of doom and gloom” and so lose hope. (Those prophets seem to lurk in the precincts of this blog, but where would we, the communion of saints, be without them? Far poorer, I fear.)
on February 1st, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Very uplifting, thanks padre.
Bill–Sometimes you just have to check your guns at the (cathedral) door. Is it possible that too much anger regarding the plight of the poor is a sign of a deficient faith? After all, the Church teaches that the last shall be first and that it’s at least as easy for the poor man to enter heaven as the rich man. Maybe they are not to be so pitied, after all. They certainly don’t seem half as angry as many who are angry on their behalf.
on February 1st, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Though likely not uppermost in the Pope’s mind when he was granted honorary Freising citizenship, I hope he also remembered fondly that Freising is home to the world’s oldest brewery–Weihenstephan Brewery–an outgrowth, if I remember correctly, of brewing begun by local monks in the 11th century. Maybe honorary citizenship also comes with Weihenstephan privileges. ;)
on February 1st, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Mark,
I have no trouble with the sentiments expressed save the cathedral reference. What I addressed is what history shows us. As Casey Stengel said: “You can look it up.”
on February 1st, 2010 at 2:51 pm
William, Weienstephan may be the oldest brewery in operation today, at least that’s what they claim, but let’s not forget that the Sumerians were brewing beer 4,000-5,000 years ago! (Just a little aside.)
on February 1st, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Weihenstephan, that is.
on February 1st, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Rita–
Do you know if there are any Sumerians offering honorary citizenship? If so, please forward the particulars. :)
on February 1st, 2010 at 3:14 pm
In fact, this light may come from the East:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/weekinreview/03grist.html
on February 1st, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Anthony A. and Richard S.,
I’m currently offering a course for undergrad theology and philosophy majors on the theology of Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict. I decided to begin with the Pope’s book on St. Paul (based on his weekly audiences during the Pauline year). I think it was an excellent choice: not only as an introduction to Paul, but because I think it contains in brief the Pope’s theological approach and vision.
It seems to me to be quite usable for high school seniors (of the sort Anthony teaches!) and parish adult education courses (that Richard does so well).
I noted with pleasure that Larry Cunningham had high praise for the book in a recent issue of Commonweal.
on February 1st, 2010 at 8:15 pm
With all due respect, Bob, how do you reconcile the theology of Ratzinger/Benedict with the continuous irresponsibility of that theologian with the still growing revelations of the Vatican coverup? To wit:
“Irish Catholics are increasingly asking these questions as are Catholics in the US, and throughout the world wherever the abuse scandal has been revealed. They are coming to an inescapable conclusion: their church’s system of government subverts its mission and makes a mockery of the rigid code of sexual morality to which it seeks to hold the laity and pretends to hold the clergy. It is a formula for endless scandal and disgrace.
If this papacy is to rise to this challenge it must stop behaving as though there were no systemic weakness paralyzing its mission everywhere. Unaccountable bishops misbehave precisely because they are unaccountable. Rome needs to demonstrate that it has finally gotten the message that the people of Boston sent it in 2002.
How? First, by sacking and secluding Bernard Law and then by undertaking a comprehensive overhaul of the present clerical governance structure of the Catholic Church.”
http://votf.org/vineyard/Jan28_2010/ireland.html
on February 2nd, 2010 at 11:01 am
Bill-
He’s the pope–whether you or I like it or not. And even if a person has not a shred of respect for him (as you seem to not have), he may still say something that is thoughtful or may even provide spiritual insight.
And remember one of the signs of Christian, is that she or he has a spirit of joy about them. I so infrequently find joy or hope in any of your posts. Maybe you just chill out a bit? just a thought
on February 2nd, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Though this thread seems (and probably accurately so) to divide between the adulators and detractors of BXVI, I found it’s significance minimal -except maybe for some brewski discussion.
on February 2nd, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Bob-
I am neither an adulator nor a detractor of the pope. I found Fr Imbelli’s post of the pope’s comments worthwhile. These reflections would have been worthwhile whether or not the pope had written them.
on February 2nd, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Anthony,
Our path is through the crucified Lord, protecting the children. Not through lofty phrases neglecting children and appointing a cover-up Cardinal in charge of a Cathedral. In the Body of Christ, each part works together. The children are a huge part of that body and given great significance by Jesus. Fighting for children does not mean one lacks joy. It is the false joy we have to guard against.
Voice of the Faithful has worked constantly for integrity in the church. Their call is one all of us should hearken.
on February 3rd, 2010 at 7:58 am
Bill-
Last summer I was with a friend who loves to listen to Rush and his ilk. Thus I spent several hours in a car listening to this vitriol on the radio. It was all anger, hate, and bitterness. No joy or hope. No attempt to look for a silver lining amidst the darkening clouds. I find that sometimes reading some of the posts on this blog is a lot listening to Rush and the rest of hate radio. Sometimes, Bill, we need to have a little hope. And I actually think that despite all the problems of the Church, Benedict XVI can offer us some hope. I believe in the goodness of the human person. I even believe that there is some goodness in a pope. Can you agree with me on this?
A
on February 3rd, 2010 at 11:16 am
Personal goodness does not necessarily mean good governace or leadership.