Contrary to custom, Pope Benedict will celebrate his 80th birthday tomorrow by giving a gift: his new book Jesus of Nazareth will be released in Italian, German, and Polish. The English edition will be available in mid-May -- though Amazon is taking pre-publication orders.

The book was formally presented at the Vatican by Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, Archbishop of Vienna, and former student and collaborator of the Pope. His remarks (available here in Italian and German) provide a fascinating preview.

Schoenborn's title is itself significant:"The Pope in the Agora," the public marketplace. He underscores what the Pope himself stresses in the book's "Preface." The work is not intended to be a formal statement of the Church's magisterium, but a meditation by a believer and a scholar who is seeking the face of the Lord. He thus invites attentive consideration and considered response.

Of particular note is the the fact that the Pope drew inspiration for his meditation from a book by the Jewish scholar, Jacob Neusner, A Rabbi Talks with Jesus. Neusner imagines spending a day listening to Jesus of Nazareth and then discussing what he heard with the local rabbi.

When asked: what did Jesus omit from Torah?, Neusner replies, "nothing." When asked: what did Jesus add?, Neusner responds, "himself!"

Benedict finds the relation and distinctness of Judaism and Christianity epitomized in that exchange. The Person of Jesus is at the heart of Christianity. Jesus the Christ is the living Temple of God's Presence.

Benedict's book meditates upon the Gospel portrait of Jesus from his Baptism to his Transfiguration, and will be followed, Deo volente, by a second volume, treating the birth and death of the Son of God.

Cardinal Schoenborn highlights a phrase from the "Preface" in which the Pope speaks of "intimate friendship with Jesus" This, of course, is the gift and calling of every disciple. But it is particularly fitting that the joy and challenge of this friendship be witnessed to by the successor of Peter -- to whom the Risen Lord said: "if you love me, feed my sheep."