There is something warm and wonderful about reading a book again and again; finding new insights, remembering the wisdom of the first reading, and being touched again by the words that dwelt in your heart the first time around. Such a book is “Pope Benedict XVI: In My Own Words,” a book that introduces readers to the theological and spiritual thought of Pope Benedict, first a theologian.
Pope Benedict describes his emerging papacy as “the third phase of my life, a portal into the pontificate,” and further, “a friendship with Christ.”
“In My Own Words” originally was compiled by Daniel T. Michaels, PhD, when Pope Benedict was elected in 2005. The book is a compilation of the pope’s teachings, writings, letters, and homilies.
It also includes pieces from his general audiences, and he quotes generously from his immediate predecessor, Pope John Paul II.
The book has words for today and every day. Particularly touching are Pope Benedict’s words to children in his World Youth Day message: “He takes nothing away and gives you everything. Where we give ourselves to Him we receive a hundredfold in return.” In an address to the ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Benedict draws directly from a Vatican II document, “Dignitatis Humanae.”
Later in the book he writes of finding the face of God. He also writes of the Western world, weary of its own culture “… when there is no longer any evidence of the need for God… It therefore naturally becomes difficult to believe, and if it is difficult to believe, it is even more difficult to offer one’s life to the Lord, to be his servant.”
When he writes of war, he writes of the torn country of his youth. He also writes of culture and the church in dialogue with the world, leaving no doubt that there is a place for the Church and her teachings in the modern world.
This would be a good year to read this book, for Pope Benedict includes a number of writings on priests and the vocation of priesthood, and this is The Year of the Priest. He also writes of seeking peace and brotherhood and promoting dialogue between cultures: “Peter’s current successor takes on as his primary task the duty to work tirelessly to rebuild the full and visible unity of all Christ’s followers.”
In a chapter on the Eucharist, Pope Benedict refers to the sacrament as the source of the Church’s mission; “The Eucharist makes constantly present the Risen Christ who continuous to give himself to us calling us to participate in the banquet of his Body and Blood.”
From his first message of April 20, 2005 (the Year of the Eucharist), the day after his election, and on, he admonishes us to “take better and better care of the quality of the Eucharistic celebrations.”
I am particularly fond of the last chapter, written in honor of Mary, the mother of Jesus. He encourages all to say a resounding “Yes,” as Mary did, “welcoming Jesus and bringing him to others is the true joy of Christians.”
The book’s chapters are introduced by photographs of Pope Benedict, which are, for the most part, disappointing in their quality. Often they are dark and details are difficult to see.
But photos aside, this is a good book to read and re-read and return to as doubts assail us.
“Pope Benedict XVI: In My Own Words,” compiled and edited by Daniel T. Michaels, PhD, Ligouri Press, Ligouri, Missouri, 108 pages, hard cover, $14.95.
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