Quaerite Faciem Eius Semper
B16 paid tribute to his favorite saint on his feast day at this morning's Angelus. As a delegation from the North American College was present in the Castel Gandolfo courtyard, it was often difficult hearing the Pope over the hysterics coming from down below. "Beware of screaming American seminarians" is the prevailing Roman wisdom of these days... and those Gianicolo boys sure like being the head cheerleaders.But today is the memorial of St. Augustine. And Joseph Ratzinger is nothing if not a committed Augustinian. Noting the commentary of the "Son of Tears" on Psalm 104's exhortation to "Seek always his face," Benedict said, "The discovery of the 'face of God' is inexhaustible. The more we enter into the splendor of divine love, the more beautiful it is to continue forward in seeking it out."
He sounds like the new Tracy Chapman single. I kid you not. But I digress....
The context of this meditation is extremely important. Even though he's been back for a week, the Pope again spoke about the experience of World Youth Day, focusing particularly on his take as to two things: what the young people gathered in Cologne were seeking, and what they need to know.
Not only the young people, but the community and its pastors must always be extremely conscious of a fundamental fact of evangelization: that where God does not take the first place, where he is not recognized and adored as the supreme good, the dignity of man is jeopardized.And speaking of his encounter with the German bishops, he made his own what he felt was the youth's request: "Help us to be disciples and witnesses of Christ."
As if he didn't before, it seems this Pope is focusing in more and more on that magic "A" word -- authenticity. Authenticity of witness, authenticity of message, authenticity of life. It provided the whole context of this morning's meditation. He's not looking for young people (and, for that matter, seminarians) who are going to scream, sing and dance under his window to go home and be unable to remember, let alone embrace, a single substantive thing he said.
We saw the evolution of this from the start of the pontificate, with the emphasis on Petrine ministry as servant of communion, not temporal behemoth. And what a point -- it seems Ratzi's never known anyone who truly found God in a tiara, either.
He knows that what draws people -- draws them substantively as opposed to superficially (big difference there) -- is not trappings, titles and torches, but tangible commitment, joy, human warmth and integrity. Those who sacrifice the latter qualities for the former, so the theory goes, basically hand a double victory to those who seek to discredit the face of the entire enterprise.
By their fruits, not their decibel levels, shall you judge them.
PHOTO: AP/Andrew Medichini
-30-
posted by Rocco Palmo at 06:52
6 Comments:
Terrific stuff, ain't it?!
But what I want to know is: how do you get the Angelus greeting before it is posted either on ZENIT or on the Vatican website? Perry
He knows that what draws people -- draws them substantively as opposed to superficially (big difference there) -- is not trappings, titles and torches, but tangible commitment, joy, human warmth and integrity.
You hit the nail on the head this time, Rocco.
But I still maintain that high-decibel-level seminarians can be authentic. They are authentically happy to have such a spiritual father. And I would venture to guess that it is not a superficial, passing thing.
But is it just possible that the trappings, titles, and torches are not intended to draw people - that the majesty and splendor of the Church are intended not to dazzle the plebes, but rather to pay homage to God? Is it possible that there is no inherent opposition between "trappings, titles, and torches" and "tangible commitment, joy, human warmth and integrity"? My answer: yes.
And Rock, please go easy on the seminarians. They have already made a decision to spend their lives in God's service in a very particular and demanding way - responding to the call to the priesthood. If they suffer from an excess of enthusiasm... well, there are worse things.
Not sure the seminarians aren't deserving of a bit of roughing up in print. They're in training. They have yet to prove themselves in ministry. Their present role is to learn, not to be God's cheerleaders. Vatican II teaches seminarians "should be taught to seek Christ in the faithful meditation on God's word, in the active participation in the sacred mysteries of the Church, especially in the Eucharist and in the divine office, in the bishop who sends them and in the people to whom they are sent, especially the poor, the children, the sick, the sinners and the unbelievers."
If a seminarian were to experience the same outward joy in service, I would say the outbursts are genuine. We could consult with the poor, the children, the sick, the sinners, and theunbelievers of Rome and ask if these guys are in character or out.
Todd,
One does not have to respond to every situation in exactly the same way for it to be an authentic response.
Are you insinuating that they might be less fervent about their pastoral work than about seeing the Pope?
I wouldn't take offense at this kind of enthusiasm. It is not impossible that it represents a fervor born of the love of the heart of Jesus... the sort of the St. John Vianney used to talk about. And I would definitely say that is a good quality in a seminarian. It was generally the men who lost that kind of fervor who ended up in one form of infidelity either during or after their time in seminary...
At the very least, objecting to the enthusiasm is a bit like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic as it sinks... There are far more weighty formational issues to be addressed by the upcoming review...
Todd -
Why is it our place to rough up those who are still in formation? I'm trying to put myself in a NAC seminarian's shoes - in the heady environs of Rome, under a new papacy. They have the rest of their lives to look forward to in ministry, in far more mundane circumstances. Your quote says they should be taught to seek Christ in the people to whom they are sent - but they haven't been sent yet, so why the jibe about asking the poor of Rome about them?
Post a Comment
<< Home