Planting Seeds of Spring: Pope Benedict's Trip to the United Kingdom

John Paul II prepared the ground, Benedict is planting the seeds

To the consternation of a vocal minority of agitators during his historic trip to the United Kingdom, Pope Benedict XVI was cordially received by Queen Elizabeth II, political, business, cultural, and religious leaders and the Catholic community. He showed, once again, what a courageous, gentle, holy and brilliant man he is. When Pope John Paul II died, I wondered who could fill the shoes of this giant. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, not only appears comfortable in his predecessor's shoes, I believe that he is the one man who could follow Venerable John Paul and not be dwarfed by him.

P>KNOXVILLE, TN (Catholic Online) - To the consternation of a vocal minority of agitators during his historic trip to the United Kingdom, Pope Benedict XVI was cordially received by Queen Elizabeth II, as well as political, business, cultural, and religious leaders and the Catholic community. He showed the world, once again, what a courageous, gentle, holy and brilliant man he is. Much can be said about his trip; however, I would like to review some of his comments which I found the most meaningful. I have organized these comments into six categories as follows: religion and science, made for truth, finding our vocation, faith and reason in society, culture of life, and Christ's eternal sacrifice.

Religion and Science

Dr. Stephen Hawking, the famous, British theoretical physicist and cosmologist, has long been intent on disproving the existence of God, or at least the need for God. His most recent claim, which was publicized just prior to the Pope's trip, is that the universe created itself out of nothing. In other words, God did not create it.

In response, Pope Benedict put science into proper perspective. He said that religion and science operate on different levels. Science cannot explain the ultimate meaning of human existence. Science cannot explain our origin, destiny or purpose. Neither can it satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart. But it can help us to exercise our stewardship over creation. In other words, science is meant to be used to care for our needs and the needs of others in a way that does not exploit creation for selfish purposes. If we accept science for what it is and use it in accordance with that truth, then it can also help us glorify God.

Made for Truth

Pope Benedict reminded us that when we look at the world, we see a "profound crisis of faith" in modern society. This crisis arises, in part, from a growing tendency to treat religion as a personal opinion, something private and subjective. Likewise, there is a corresponding trend to treat morality as something relative. This crisis is so serious, the Pope warned, that it "threatens to undermine society."

Consequently, he believes that Christians can no longer go on with "business as usual." He said the business that we were created for is to know the truth which leads us to freedom and the fulfillment of our deepest human aspirations. Ultimately, this truth is a who, not a what. It is Jesus, who is "the way and the truth and the life."

Furthermore, the Pope informed us that there cannot be a separation between one's belief and the way one lives. We must live what we believe. Truth is not just an intellectual act; it is also "a spiritual dynamic that penetrates to the core of our being." This means that all our thoughts, words and actions are to be directed toward the "glory of God and the spread of His Kingdom."

He also said that truth is not just passed on by formal teaching, but by "the witness of lives lived in integrity, fidelity and holiness." Referring to the martyrs who died at Tyburn for their faith, Pope Benedict said that it can be costly to live out the truth. "In our own time," he said, "the price to be paid for fidelity to the Gospel is no longer being hanged, drawn and quartered but it often involves being dismissed out of hand, ridiculed or parodied."

Finding Our Vocation

Pope Benedict also said that we were made for love--to receive it and give it. And it is in love that we can find our true self. He also said that we find our true self when we become silent and look into our heart. This is where Jesus is waiting for us. When we find Him there, Jesus will lead us to the discovery of our true self.

Then the Pope said that "In discovering our true self, we discover the particular vocation which God has given us for the building up of His Church and the redemption of the world." Of course, it seems to me that once we discover our vocation, then we need the courage and will to accept it. Perhaps it is with this thought in mind that the Pope reminded us that we need good families, priests, deacons and religious.

He said that Jesus needs families "to remind the world of the dignity of human love and the beauty of family life." He also said that Jesus needs people dedicated to passing on the faith to the young. He also needs men and women who are willing to consecrate their lives to perfect charity and live in chastity, poverty and obedience. And He needs "good and holy priests, men who are willing to lay down their lives for their sheep." Pope Benedict then referred to the religious life of the contemplative as a powerful expression of love that can "sustain the Church's witness and activity through their constant prayer."

Faith and Reason in Society

Addressing political, cultural, business, and religious leaders at Westminster Hall, Pope Benedict pointed out that religion is increasingly being marginalized or silenced in some Western societies which are moving toward "a radical secularization." He said this is true of Christianity in particular, and it is happening in societies that place great emphasis on tolerance.

The Pope also indicated that modern Western governments are without an ethical foundation. As a result, they are basing political decisions on social consensus. But this approach cannot sustain democracy, he warned. This is one reason why religious faith cannot be excluded from the public sphere. Then he explained that there is a unity between faith and reason.

The Catholic faith teaches that the basic truths of morality are rational and knowable, and that it is committed to reason, natural law and the common good. Thus, there are areas where the Catholic Church and government can work together. One such area the Pope mentioned was the area of poverty in the developing nations. But, he emphasized, the success of such a venture depends on the Church being free to act according to its beliefs.

Culture of Life

Light Your Free Candle for Pope Francis. May He Rest in Peace.

During his visit to a home for the elderly located in London, Pope Benedict reminded us that life is "a unique gift from conception until natural death," and "it is God's alone to give and to take." These words were referred to as a "strong witness" by one reporter because the legalization of euthanasia has "significant support" in the U.K.

The Pope said two things about the elderly that we would do well to remember. First, he spoke about society's attitude toward the elderly. He said that they were "a blessing for society," and society's attitude toward their care should reflect generosity as well as a debt of gratitude. Pope Benedict related the care of the elderly to the fourth commandment, "Honor your father and your mother."

The second thing that he said referred to the relationship between aging and spirituality. As we get older, he said, we are faced with a great deal of physical deterioration and discomfort. For this very reason, aging "may well be among the most spiritually fruitful years of our lives." Of course, the Pope is referring to uniting our suffering to the suffering of Christ, which I will touch on in the next category.

Christ's Eternal Sacrifice

Pope Benedict also spoke of the unity between Christ's sacrifice on the cross and His eternal priesthood. The blood Jesus shed on the cross is "the source of the Church's life." By obeying the command to "do this in memory of me" until His return, the Church experiences the sacramental presence of Jesus and draws upon "the power of His saving grace for the redemption of the world." The Eucharistic sacrifice, then, is a continuation of the mystery of Jesus' passion in His Mystical Body, the Church. In this respect, Christ still unites Himself to humanity's sufferings, needs, hopes, and desires, and continues to be in agony until the end of the world.

As members of His Mystical Body, we are called to share "the reconciling power of His sacrifice." In a world that wants to marginalize Jesus, Pope Benedict reminds us that we need greater unity with Jesus, not less. He calls us to a "spiritual worship which embraces every aspect of our lives and finds expression in our efforts to contribute to the coming of his Kingdom." Then he asked for our prayers for the priesthood, so the sacrifice of the Eucharist might continue on earth until the end of time.

Conclusion

They are waiting for you. Will you answer?

When I reflect on Pope Benedict's trip to the U. K., I recall how secularization is sweeping across Europe, and the Pope is evangelizing the whole continent and the world. How he does it at his age is, to me, nothing short of a miracle. I believe that the Pope is a great leader. To put this last comment into perspective, I need to refer to Venerable John Paul II.

When Pope John Paul II died, I wondered who could possibly fill the shoes of this giant. Then there was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Benedict not only appears comfortable in his predecessor's shoes, I believe that he is the one man who could follow Venerable John Paul and not be completely dwarfed by him. We are very fortunate to live in the time of  Venerable John Paul and Pope Benedict. God has truly blessed us in this regard.

It is believed by many people that John Paul II synthesized faith and reason like Saint's Augustine and Thomas Aquinas before him, that he was a genius and a saint. The way I imagine it, John Paul II was a philosopher, and Pope Benedict is an applied scholar of the highest caliber. One is an architect, the other an engineer. One gave us a new way to look at the world, God and ourselves. The other is building a bridge between secularism and our faith. One prepared the ground for a "new springtime"; the other is planting the seeds.

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Michael Terheyden was born into a Catholic family, but that is not why he is a Catholic. He is a Catholic because he believes that truth is real, that it is beautiful and good, and that the fullness of truth is in the Catholic Church. However, he knows that God's grace operating throughout his life is the main reason he is a Catholic. He is greatly blessed to share his faith and his life with his beautiful wife, Dorothy. They have four grown children and three grandchildren.- - -

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