Blog by-the-Sea

John of Salisbury: Reason's Capacity to Know the Truth

In today's General Audience, Pope Benedict spoke about John of Salisbury from the 12th century.

Full English translations of the text have been posted by Zenit and Benedetto XVI Forum.    The Daily Bulletin has the original Italian and summaries in several languages.  Vatican Information Service has a press release, and Asia News has an article.

Here is the English language summary from the Daily Bulletin:

"In our catechesis on the Christian culture of the Middle Ages, we now turn to John of Salisbury, an outstanding philosopher and theologian of the twelfth century. Born in England, John was educated in Paris and Chartres. A close associate of Saint Thomas Becket, he was involved in the crisis between the Church and the Crown under King Henry II, and died as Bishop of Chartres. In his celebrated work, the Metalogicon, John teaches that authentic philosophy is by nature communicative: it bears fruit in a message of wisdom which serves the building up of society in truth and goodness. While acknowledging the limitations of human reason, John insists that it can attain to the truth through dialogue and argumentation. Faith, which grants a share in God’s perfect knowledge, helps reason to realize its full potential. In another work, the Policraticus, John defends reason’s capacity to know the objective truth underlying the universal natural law, and its obligation to embody that law in all positive legislation. John’s insights are most timely today, in light of the threats to human life and dignity posed by legislation inspired more by the "dictatorship of relativism" than by the sober use of right reason and concern for the principles of truth and justice inscribed in the natural law."

The Crèche Reminds Us that True Joy Does Not Consist in Having Many Things

At the Angelus on this third Sunday of Advent, Pope Benedict spoke about one of the readings for today's Mass, Philippians 4:4-7 ("Rejoice in the Lord always.  I shall say it again:  rejoice!").  Blessing images of the baby Jesus, brought today by children from Rome to be placed in their families' crèches, he spoke about the true joy of Christmas:

"The blessing of the 'Bambinelli', as we say in Rome, reminds us that the crèche is a school of life, where we can learn the secret of true joy. This does not consist in having many things, but in feeling loved by the Lord, in giving ourselves to others, and in loving each other."

Zenit and Benedetto XVI Forum have full English translations.  The Daily Bulletin has the original Italian text with greetings in several languages.  Asia News and Catholic News Agency have articles.

Rupert of Deutz "Inspires Us to Draw Near to Christ"

In today's General Audience, Pope Benedict spoke about Rupert of Deutz, a 12th century theologian who wrote prolifically about the theological issues of his day and also wrote sometimes of "his mystical experiences, as when he confides about the ineffable joy of having perceived the presence of the Lord" combining "the rational study of the mysteries of the faith with prayer and contemplation, considered the summit of all knowledge of God."

Zenit and Benedetto XVI Forum have full English translations of the text.  The Daily Bulletin has the original Italian text with summaries and greetings in several languages.  Vatican Information Service has a press release.  In his French greeting, he congratulated KTO French Catholic TV on this month's celebration of 10 years of broadcasting, extending an apostolic blessing to those who run the TV channel and to its viewers.

Here is the English language summary:

"In our catechesis on the Christian culture of the Middle Ages, we now turn to Rupert of Deutz, an outstanding theologian of the twelfth century. Rupert experienced at first hand the conflict between the Empire and the Church linked to the investiture crisis, and he played a significant role in the principal theological debates of his day. He forcefully defended the reality of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist, and insisted that the origin of evil is to be found in man’s mistaken use of freedom, not in the positive will of God. Rupert also contributed to the medieval discussion of the purpose of the Incarnation, which he set within a vast vision of history centred on Christ. His teaching on the dignity and privileges of the Virgin Mary, presented within a broad ecclesiological context, would prove influential for later theology and find an echo in the doctrine of the Second Vatican Council. Rupert’s ability to harmonize the rational study of the mysteries of faith with prayer and contemplation makes him a typical representative of the monastic theology of his time. His example inspires us to draw near to Christ, present among us in his Word and in the Eucharist, and to rejoice in the knowledge that he remains with us at every moment of our lives and throughout history."

Jesus the Divine Word; Mary the Most Beautiful Flower Germinated from the Word of God

In his words at today's midday Angelus, Pope Benedict spoke about St. John the Baptist as a historical figure.  He then mentions that in today's Gospel reading for Mass (Luke 3:1-6), "after this ample historical introduction, the subject matter becomes 'the Word of God', presented as a power that comes from above and descends on John the Baptist. . . . Jesus himself is the Divine Word made flesh in the virginal womb of Mary."  He spoke about Mary as "the most beautiful flower germinated from the Word of God", and he mentioned the struggle "between the desert and the garden, between the sin that parches the earth and the grace that waters it so that it produces abundant fruits of holiness."

Zenit and Benedetto XVI Forum have full English translations of the text.  The Daily Bulletin has the original Italian and greetings in several languages.  Asia News has an article.

William of Saint-Thierry: "Love Itself Brings Knowledge."

In today's General Audience, Pope Benedict spoke about 12th century William of Saint-Thierry.  Zenit and Benedetto XVI Forum have full English translations.  The Daily Bulletin has the original Italian text and summaries in several languages.  Vatican Information Service has a press release, and Asia News has an article.

Here is the Holy Father's English language summary:

"In our catechesis on the Christian culture of the Middle Ages, we now turn to William of Saint-Thierry, an outstanding monastic theologian and a close friend of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. William took active part in the twelfth-century movement of monastic renewal and, after serving as abbot of Saint-Thierry, he entered the Cistercian monastery of Signy. A central theme of his writings is the nature and power of love, seen as the ultimate vocation and the driving force of the human spirit. For William, this innate human drive finds perfection in the love of the triune God, the source and goal of all love. As the culmination of a process of purification and integration of the affections, the love of God brings supreme human fulfilment, and a profound experiential knowledge of both God and the world about us. In William’s celebrated phrase, Amor ipse intellectus est – love itself brings knowledge. By contemplation of the mysteries of the faith, we grow in the image of God and, by uniting our will to his, we become one with him. May the example and teaching of William of Saint-Thierry strengthen our desire to love God above all things and to let that love overflow in love of our neighbour. May we thus discover authentic joy and the foretaste of eternal bliss."

A Trustworthy Hope Found Only in Christ

In his words at today's midday Angelus, Pope Benedict spoke about Advent as the opening of a new liturgical year, and about Christ as the center of the liturgy.  He said that the contemporary world needs hope.  He described Christ as a "trustworthy hope", saying:

"Above all, seeing so many false securities crumble, we realize that we need a trustworthy hope, and this is found only in Christ, who, as the Letter to the Hebrews says, "is the same yesterday, today and always" (13:8)."

Zenit and Benedetto XVI Forum have full English translations.  The Daily Bulletin has the original Italian text.  Asia News has an article.

The Lord Who Is Present

In his homily for last night's first vespers of Advent, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the meaning of the word "Advent", which he said "can be translated as 'presence', 'arrival', 'coming'."  He spoke about the joy of waiting in hope, in the presence of the eternal.  Here is an excerpt:

"Advent invites and stimulates us to contemplate the Lord who is present. Should not the certainty of his presence help us to see the world with different eyes? Should it not help us to consider all of our existence as a 'visit', as a way in which He can come to us and be near to us in every situation?"

Benedetto XVI Forum has a full English translation.  The Daily Bulletin has the original Italian text.

Sts. Hugh and Richard of St. Victor: Theology grounded in contemplation and understanding

In this week's catechesis for the General Audience, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about Hugh and Richard of St. Victor.  Both were from the Abbey of St. Victor in Paris during the early 12th century, where he said "a happy synthesis was made between the two forms of doing theology . . . namely, monastic theology, mainly oriented to the contemplation of the mysteries of the faith in Scripture, and scholastic theology, which used reason to attempt to scrutinize these mysteries with innovative methods, to create a theological system."

Zenit and Benedetto XVI Forum have full English translations.  The Daily Bulletin has the original Italian translation and syntheses in several languages.  Vatican Information Service has a press release.  Asia News has an article.

Here is the Pope's synthesis of the catechesis in English:

"In our continuing catechesis on the Christian culture of the Middle Ages, we now turn to two outstanding twelfth-century theologians associated with the monastery of Saint Victor of Paris. Hugh of Saint Victor stressed the importance of the literal or historical sense of sacred Scripture as the basis of theology's effort to unite faith and reason in understanding God's saving plan. His treatise On the Sacraments of the Christian Faith offered an influential definition of a sacrament, stressing not only its institution by Christ and its communication of grace, but also its value as an outward sign. Richard of Saint Victor, a disciple of Hugh, stressed the allegorical sense of the Scriptures in order to present a spiritual paedagogy aimed at human maturity and contemplative wisdom. Richard's work On the Trinity sought to understand the mystery of the triune God by analyzing the mystery of love, which entails a giving and receiving between two persons and finds its perfection in being bestowed upon a third person. These great Victorines, Hugh and Richard, remind us that theology is grounded in the contemplation born of faith and the pursuit of understanding, and brings with it the immense joy of experiencing the eternal love of the Blessed Trinity."

The Cross Is the Paradoxical Sign of Christ's Kingship

Asia News has posted its article on the Holy Father's words at the midday Angelus for today's Solemnity of Christ the King.  Benedetto XVI Forum has a full English translation.  The Daily Bulletin has the original Italian text and greetings in several languages.  Catholic News Agency also has an article, and Vatican Information Service has a press release.  Here is the English language greeting from the Holy Father's words after the Angelus prayer:

"I am happy to greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at this Angelus on the Solemnity of Christ the King. His Kingdom is not built upon the power of this world but comes to us when we accept the presence of God in our hearts and live in his light. Let us strive to follow closely in the footsteps of Christ the Servant King and bear constant witness to his merciful love and his saving truth! God’s blessings upon you all!"

Pope Benedict on the Beauty of Medieval Cathedrals

In today's General Audience, Pope Benedict XVI gave a wonderful catechesis about medieval Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals, drawing from them a lesson about beauty that raises our minds and hearts to God, and about faith that inspired such great works of art.  His presentation was in preparation for a meeting with artists scheduled for November 21, and was also a continuation of his series of catecheses on Medieval theology and history.

Zenit and Benedetto XVI Forum have full English translations.  The Daily Bulletin has the original Italian text and greetings in various languages.  Vatican Information Service has a press release.  Asia News has an article.  Vatican Radio has excerpts in English and an audio report.

Here is his English language greeting from what I think is one of the best of his Wednesday audience series this year:

"I have been speaking in recent weeks about medieval theology, and would now like to turn my attention to how the Christian faith of the Middle Ages inspired some of the greatest works of art of all time: the cathedrals of Europe. Romanesque cathedrals are distinctive for their size and for introducing to churches beautiful sculpture, including the image of Christ as the Universal Judge and the Gate of Heaven. By entering through Him, as it were, the faithful enter a space and even a time different from everyday life, somewhere they can anticipate eternal life through their participation in the liturgy. Gradually, Gothic architecture replaced the Romanesque, adding height and luminosity to the previous style. The Gothic cathedral translates the aspirations of the soul into architectural lines, and is a synthesis between faith, art and beauty which still raises our hearts and minds to God today. When faith encounters art, in particular in the liturgy, a profound synthesis is created, making visible the Invisible, and the two great architectural styles of the Middle Ages demonstrate how beauty is a powerful means to draw us closer to the Mystery of God. May the Lord help us to rediscover that "way of beauty", surely one of the best ways to know and to love Almighty God."

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There are a few earlier posts about faith and beauty, and about Medieval architecture on this blog.  See the categories Art and  Architecture and Worship.