Pope Benedict XVI: What to Look for
Pope Benedict XVI is now on the plane and soon to land on U.S. soil in a matter of hours. My thoughts on this visit are aplenty.
What will he say when he first speaks to the American people? What will he say to President Bush during their “private chat?” What kind of impact will he have on Catholicism and Christianity in America and the world? Yes, there are several planned speeches and events, but this pope’s mission goes far beyond the printed materials, or media ratings and sound bites. What we all must be cognizant of during the pontiff’s five days here is that his measure of success is not as the secular world would gauge.
I’ve admired this pope since I began reading his many, many tomes concerning faith, spirituality, the church and its mission on Earth. Benedict is about planting seeds for the future. Not the future that ends up on the evening news, but the future as it is grounded in the present understanding of a deeper more lasting faith … a future that may take 10 to 20 to 100 years to unfold.
He’s a theologian and scholar who sometimes overestimate the knowledge of his audience. But that is precisely why I call on OUR audience to listen carefully to what he says regardless of whether you agree with him or not. Because what he says has weight; what he says WILL influence those who can shift the tide of political and spiritual views; And also, what he says is grounded in deep intellectual research and ponderings. He does his homework, and carefully chooses his words.
Heavy and weighty talk is a little like listening to classical music. If you’re not used to it, five minutes of it will seem like 50, and pretty soon you tune out. DON’T DO IT HERE!
Like in Regensburg, Germany where the pope’s words ignited a firestorm of anger in the Muslim world, here in America his words will have world influence. He’s coming to the media capital of the world and talking to the largest cross section of people. A diversity of cultural, intellect, politics, races and yes religions awaits him. He will throw off the mantel of being “God’s Rottweiler” as Cardinal Ratzinger, or of living in the shadows of the charismatic John Paul II.
When Pope Benedict alights from the steps of the Alitalia plane called “Shepherd One,” he will emerge with his own mission. And it’s a mission for these times, and tailored to his suit his strengths. He will lay down the intellectual gauntlet of faith and reason as two pillars of God’s truth. He will tackle the secularism of the western world, and challenge people to find a faith based on reason, not the Enlightenment version that claimed you could be “good” without God, but a version that says if God exists then I can find him through reason.
Ruth “Bunny” Graham, Billy Graham’s third daughter, told me last week that God has a way of raising people to fit the times. It is just possible that God has risen Pope Benedict XVI for such a purpose as well. Just as John Paul II helped bring down the iron curtain, Benedict XVI could very well bring down religious fanaticism that is the greatest political and cultural challenge of our day.
What a beautiful commentary on the Holy Father. I hope that people truly listen to what the Holy Father says. Our culture needs his message, the message that is timeless and was given to man from the very beginning. The message isn’t Benedict’s. He is merely the messenger, raised up by God for these times, as Lauren said. Please listen America, and take it to heart! Our future truly depends on it.
Thank you Fr. Johnathan for writing this. I wish your article was the one printed in Newsweek! We send our prayers and blessings for the Popes visit from California.
In Xt., Melissa
Extremely good advice re: “tuning out” too early and the comparison of Benedict’s writings with classical music. I too have a friend who happens to be a Roman Catholic priest withe a strong intellect. He too is able to weave the complex in with the simple in such a fashion that the average “common folk” is able to comprehend what is being conveyed. Persist, do NOT give up in pushing the mind to stay tuned in to what is being stated.
J. Sadtler Jr.
Louisville, KY
As a Southern Baptist and one that ocassionally visits the Catholic Church with my beloved best friend, find it a blessing that Pope Benedict XVI has taken the time to visit America. Both religions I mention believe that Jesus is the Son Of God as well as many other religions also beleve this throughout this Country. I feel that I and all Americans are blessed by his visit. Praise our Savior Jesus Christ and Pope Benedict!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ms. Green’s comments are on the mark! A thoughtful essay from a thoughtful lady.
Hi Lauren –
What a beautiful commentary, and as several other bloggers have indicated, right on the mark. I feel very fortunate in that I have a ticket to the Papal Mass in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. To say that I am excited about seeing the Holy Father would be an understatement (and that comes from a reporter who has seen her share of “famous”people) — but seeing the Pope IS different, and I can hardly wait! Your advice to listen carefully to the Holy Father’s also words struck a chord in me, and I promise to do just that.
I am in wholehearted agreement with Lauren Green’s commentary on Pope Benedict’s current and historic visit to the United States this week. As President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II were political and religious leaders for their times in collabaratively bringing down Communism, I believe Pope Benedict is the spiritual leader chosen for the battle against moral relativism and to encourage fruitful dialogue between Catholics and those of other religious persuasions. I have reassurance the discussions he has begun with Muslims. As with Ms. Green, I, too, have read many of Pope Benedict XVI’s extensive writings and havs found them enlightening and thought-provoking.
Finally, I echo, Ms. Green’s exhortation to hear Pope Benedict out during his six momentous days here on our soil. His message will be words of truth and well worth listening to. Welcome to America, Pope Benedict !
Ms. Green:
Your insights and writings are even more beautiful than your personality and lovely smile. Thank you for pointing out how much Pope Benedict emphasizes faith with reason and love. Look forward to more of your blogging on his visit.
to learn more pope benedict XVI here are a list of his books to learn more
images of hope
on the way to Jesus christ
milestones
values in a time of upheaval
pilgrim fellowship of faith
Gods revolution
legacy of john paul II
invitation to faith
God and the world
handing on the faith
what it means to be a christian
new outpourings of the spirit
dialectics of secularization
truth and tolerance
chrisianity and the crisis of cultures
jesus of nazereth
saved in hope
great gift idea for a friend or family
Wonderful article which arouses our curiosity and raises our expectations.
Thank you for it and we hope to read some more soon.
Margo Cox
Hi Lauren,
I’ve been an admirer of yours from your Fox & Friends anchor days. Miss ya! As a Catholic, I am deeply interested in the words of the Pope. He is an intellectual giant of a man but is also very humble. I hope he gets fair coverage from the main stream media. So far, CNN.com has been mum so thanks to Fox and EWTN for providing coverage of this historic visit.
On a side note, I am interested in your observations on the Pope’s musical talent with the piano. I believe that is something that you are also very good as well. Too bad you can’t get a big scoop and be invited to play for him!
Keep up the great work and coverage.
Dominus Vobiscum!
Lauren,
I missed you when you left the morning news desk at Fox & Friends. But reading your insightful and incisive blogs on the Papal visit, I’m truly grateful your talent, wisdom, faith, and courage are now applied to reporting on this most important topic area, which secular media often cover so awkwardly.
As a Catholic convert, I am moved and blessed by your comments on the Holy Father, and I’m edified by your sound advice to all of us. Your assessment of his writing hits the mark — hope you’ve had a chance to read JESUS OF NAZARETH.
Keep up the great work — I’m looking forward to reading all of it and hope you’ll consider writing books on your observations of Christianity and your own faith. If you’ve done so already, forgive my being behind the times.
Cheers and blessings,
Victoria