Christianity becomes mission
only when knowing God brings joy:
The Pope's homily for his Schuelerkreis
Translated from
the Italian service of
August 30, 2009
Only if knowing God and his will brings joy to us does Christianity also become missionary, and only if the revelation of God to men is recognized as a gift can Christianity be stimulating.
These were underscored by Benedict XVI this morning in his homily at a Mass he celebrated for his Schuelerkreis at the Chapel of the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo.
Speaking on today's liturgy readings, the Pope pointed out that if we wish to listen completely to the message of Jesus and the way in which he leads us to God, if we wish to know how God comes to us, then it is essential to read both the Old and the New Testaments.
He said Sacred Scriptures contained the Law handed down by God to man, but the Commandments of God should not be considered as a yoke or a form of slavery.
Rather, he said, the Commandments transmit wisdom, true knowlede, because they tell us how to be and how to live. For this, the Pope said, the Christian must be grateful to God and rejoice for what he has received.
Joy, said the Pope, must be the distinguishing mark of the Christian - joy because he knows the will of God, and because even the Law is an expression of God's friendship - as words that make us free, that give us strength, and that purify us.
He added that to the degree we allow ourselves to be touched by God, and establish a dialog of love and friendship with him, then we too can love as he loves.
He said it was somewhat as St. Augustine had summarized in the statement, "Give us what you command and command us to do what you want" - a way of saying that through his friendship, God makes us capable of having the love that he has.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 14/09/2009 20:55]