Catechesis of Benedict XVI on St. bartholomew
Pope: Jesus Can't Be Understood at Just One Level
In Address Focused on the Apostle Bartholomew
VATICAN CITY, OCTOBER 4, 2007 (ZENIT.org).-
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St. Bartholomew |
It is not possible to understand the figure of Jesus if both his divine and historical dimensions are not taken into account, says Benedict XVI.
"We must never lose sight of either of these two elements," the Pope said at the general audience today, "since if we only proclaim the heavenly dimension of Jesus, we run the risk of making him an ethereal and evanescent being, while if we only recognize his concrete role in history, we run the risk of neglecting his divine dimension, which is his proper description."
About 40,000 people at the audience in St. Peter's Square heard the Holy Father's words and gave him a cordial welcome on his return to the Vatican, after his stay over the summer months at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo.
In his catechesis, Benedict XVI continued to meditate on the Twelve Apostles. On this occasion, he chose the figure of Bartholomew, who traditionally is identified with the Gospel personage called Nathanael.
On hearing of Jesus, Nathanael asked Philip: "Can anything good come from Nazareth?"
"This expression is important for us," the Pope said. "It allows us to see that, according to the Jewish expectations, the Messiah could not come from such an obscure village, as was the case of Nazareth.
"At the same time, however, it shows the freedom of God, who surprises our expectations, manifesting himself precisely there, where we least expect him."
Living experience
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St. Bartholomew |
Nathanael's story suggested another reflection to the Pontiff: "In our relationship with Jesus, we must not only be content with words. Philip, in his reply, presents a significant invitation to Nathanael: 'Come and see.'
"Our knowledge of Jesus is in need above all of a living experience: Another person's testimony is certainly important, as in general the whole of our Christian life begins with the proclamation that comes to us from one or several witnesses. But we ourselves must be personally involved in an intimate and profound relationship with Jesus."
Jesus' first meeting with Nathanael ends with a profession of faith uttered by this Apostle: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel!"
These words, the Pope said, "present a double and complementary aspect of Jesus' identity: He is recognized both by his special relationship with God the Father, of whom he is the only-begotten Son, as well as by his relationship with the people of Israel, of whom he is called King, attribution proper of the awaited Messiah."
Benedict XVI highlighted the teaching that Christians can draw from the testimony of St. Bartholomew, despite the fact that the Gospels say little about him: "Adherence to Jesus can be lived and witnessed even without doing sensational works."
"Jesus," the Pope said, "is the extraordinary one, to whom each one of us is called to consecrate his life and death."
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