Yesterday Pope Benedict spoke in the Marienplatz in Munich before the President of Germany, the Prime Minister, dignitaries of Church and State, and a large crowd.

He recounted the delightful legend of Saint Corbinian, his predecessor as Archbishop of Munich.

Corbinian was crossing the Alps on his way to Rome when his horse was attacked and killed by a bear. (The bear later found his way into the Archdiocese's and now the papal coat of arms.) As punishment the saint made the bear carry his belongings to Rome where he released the bear from his servitude.

Benedict, in the associative fashion reminiscent of the Church fathers, suggests resonances with Saint Augustine's reflection on Psalm 72, in which the psalmist compares himself to a beast of burden before the Lord. Augustine applies this to the bishop's pastoral service.

In conclusion Benedict comments wryly that the bear was released from servitude once he reached Rome, whereas he himself was not.

Here are some of the quite personal reminiscences provided by Gerald at Closed Cafeteria:

When I faced the difficult decision whether to accept the nomination as Archbishop of Mnchen and Freising - a nomination that would remove me from my familiar position as a university professor and face me with new tasks and responsibilities, I pondered the matter for a while and then I remembered the bear and the interpretation of St. Augustine of the verses 22 and 23 of Psalm 72, which he'd developed in a very similar situation at his ordination as priest and bishop and later used in his homilies on the Psalms.

In this Psalm, the Psalmist asks himself why bad people are frequently doing so well, and why so many good people are faring so badly. Then he says: "I was stupid and ignorant, I was like a beast toward thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee; thou dost hold my right hand."

St. Augustine kept returning to this psalm with great fondness. In this passage "I was like a beast toward thee" he saw the word "iumentum" in Latin - the draught animal common in the agriculture of Northern Africa. He viewed himself as God's beast of burden which is under the weight of his mission, the "sarcina episcopalis."

He had chosen the life of a scholar for himself and then was chosen to become God's draught animal, to be the good ox that drags the plow in the field of the Lord, does the heavy work destined for him. He realized through this I am very close to God, because I serve him directly in the erection of his Kingdom, in the building up of his Church.

Against the backdrop of the thoughts of the Bishop of Hippo, the bear encourages me time and again to perform my service with joy and confidence - 30 years ago as well as now in my new task, to give my Yes to God day after day: A draught animal I have become for You, but because of that I am always with You.

The bear of St. Corbinian was released in Rome. In my case, the Lord has decided differently.

And so I stand once more at the foot of Mary's column, to ask for the intercession and blessing of the Mother of God, not only for the city of Mnchen and not only for the dear land of Bayern ("das liebe Bayernland"), but for the Church of the whole world and all men of good will.

To savor the Pope's bemused commentary and the very appreciative response of his listeners, see the final minutes of his address provided by Bavarian Television:

http://www.br-online.de/papst-besuch/teaser-re-li/benedikt-videos.xml

and scroll to "Ansprache auf dem Marienplatz."