Catechesis of Benedict XVI during the General Audience in which he presented origen (II)

To Know God, Love Him, Says Pope

VATICAN CITY, MAY 2, 2007 (ZENIT.org)

		Origen

The privileged place to encounter God is by falling in love with him, specifically through prayerful reading of Scripture, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope said this today at the general audience in St. Peter's Square, attended by some 30,000 people. The Holy Father continued with his reflections on early figures of the Church, today focusing again on Origen of Alexandria.

"Origen," the Pontiff said, "constantly mixes his exegetic and theological works with experiences and suggestions relating to prayer. Despite the theological wealth found in his thought, his is never a purely academic treatment; it is always founded on the experience of prayer, on contact with God."

"He is convinced that the privileged path to knowing God is love and that one cannot give an authentic 'scientia Christi' without falling in love with him," he added.

Benedict XVI quoted Origen's works, citing one passage that shows "the highest mystical levels" of the Alexandrian's prayer.

"Often -- God is a witness to this -- I felt that the Bridegroom drew very near to me; afterward he would leave suddenly, and I could not find that which I searched for. Again I have the desire for his presence, and he returns, and when he appears, when I hold him in my hands, he leaves again and once he is gone I begin again to search for him," the Pope quoted.

		Origen

Benedict XVI explained that Origen taught about the priesthood of the laity.

The Pope illustrated: "On one hand the 'girded loins' and the 'priestly vestments,' which represent purity and honest living, and on the other the 'perpetually lit lamp,' which represents the faith and science of the Scriptures -- these become the necessary conditions for the exercise of the priestly ministry.

"These conditions -- right conduct, but above all, the welcoming and study of the Word -- establish a genuine 'hierarchy of holiness' in the common priesthood of all Christians."

The Holy Father mentioned Origen's idea that the "path of perfection 'is for everyone,' so that 'the eyes of our heart' will contemplate wisdom and truth, which is Jesus Christ."

The Pontiff concluded by citing one of Origen's homilies: "When you turn your heart's gaze to contemplate wisdom and truth and the only Son of God, your eyes will see God. O happy gathering, that of whom Scripture speaks as having their eyes fixed on him! How I would like for this gathering to receive a similar witness, that the eyes of all, of the unbaptized and of the faithful, of women and men and young children, not the eyes of the body, but those of the soul, look at Jesus!"

(Text courtesy of Zenit)

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