Pope Benedict's trustful realism
Editorial
by Giovanni Maria Vian
Translated from the 12/17/11 issue of
As always, Pope Benedict goes to the root of issues - while keeping, with gentle but firm clarity, an outlook of trustful realism.
This, in fact, is the general tone of his Message for the next World Day for Peace, which was made public several hours after celebrating Vespers with the university students of Rome, to whom he spoke about 'waiting' for God with the same trustful realism.
Benedict XVI cannot ignore the global crisis which is weighing on most societies around the world and which he describes with singular effect: "It almost seem as if a heavy layer of darkness has descended on our time", he says at the start of the message, "that does not allow us to see the light of day clearly".
Most obviously distressed are young people, above all, and one does not need too much analysis to be aware of this disquieting reality which has emerged in this year that is drawing to a close, in various demonstrations and visible signs across many countries.
That is why, considering his responsibility towards the younger generations - who are disoriented and intimidated by a future that appears uncertain and lacking good prospects from any angle - the Pope emphasizes the importance of education which he calls "the most fascinating and difficult adventure in life".
Through his lengthy personal experience as professor and as pastor who has always worked with young people, Benedict XVI knows well that young people do not just need teachers but more importantly, teachers who are also witnesses, as Paul VI used to say, and for this, Benedict XVI addresses parents as well as educators.
What is most striking in the papal message is the appeal to authorities in public life: that they may interrogate themselves well on the decisions they must make in a time of crisis, but even more, that they may offer young people 'a limpid image of politics'.
It is an implicit exhortation towards a new commitment in an area like politics - which in many nations, seems to be increasingly distant from the concerns of the citizenry, and does not attract, or even repels, the younger generations.
Equally strong is the Pope's appeal to the communications media which too often forget that their function is not merely informative.
[Unfortunately, the media's 'formative' activity is all too often negative, if not downright 'deformative', by imposing their biases and values on the many - too many - who seem to depend on the media to tell them what and how to think!]
The Pope knows well - and says so once again - that education in justice and peace must pass through education in truth and freedom. That is why in the message, he reiterates his insistence on the question of God, with a critique of contemporary relativism which recognizes nothing as definitive; and on the importance of natural moral law as the basis for all social coexistence that is just and peaceful.
And he reiterates, "It is not ideologies which will save the world, but only turning to the living God". Turning to God means and demands the human being's free commitment to seek not just any god - contemporary society does not lack for idols and false gods - but the Creator God who spoke to Moses and revealed his face in Jesus.
And no, it is not anachronistic to meditate on the words of the Apostle James who called on the faithful to await the coming of Christ with the constant patience of the farmer, as the Pope told the universitarians Thursday evening.
This constancy, he said, is a response to the patience of God himself, who has been faithfully awaiting man's free response, the God near us, who is above all a friend to man, to every human being.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 17/12/2011 22:35]