This is one of the clearest and most informative brief synopsis of the questions and Biblical references I've ever seen and delivered in a very interesting manner. Is this a unique approach by Pope Benedict XVI or is this the way earlier Popes presented such teachings? From having read a good bit about the controversy surrounding the quote from the 14th century Byzantine emperor I had assumed that the style of address was tailored to the university audience I understood him to be addressing, but this is very much in the same style.
I have a feeling that it would be incredible just to sit in his presence and listen to him talk about almost anything.
On the topic at hand, I am in the camp that is open to the idea that Judas was forgiven his sins, or at least that the forgiveness was possible. My own personal belief is that God's forgiveness is absolute and unequivocal and that Jesus sacrifice was the proof of that. "You, all of you, did this to Me/My Son and I still forgive you... get it?" The key, for me, is that we have to believe that. We don't have to convince God of anything. We have to convince ourselves to accept His forgiveness. The "trick" is that we won't be able to rationalize or hide any of our sins from ourselves. We will know, absolutely, every moment where we failed to live up to His expectations.
I have a feeling that might be considered blasphemy of the darkest type by some. Given this piece, even if he tells me I'm absolutely wrong, I would be fascinated to ask Pope Benedict XVI that question and I willing to bet I'd accept his explanation and be able to explain it to most anyone else, whether it's "your completely wrong" or "here's where you messed up." He seems an excellent teacher.
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He is indeed.
Upon the death of Pope John Paul II, it was (then) Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, in his capacity as Dean of the College of Cardinals, who assumed the responsibility of notifying the Cardinals and organizing the funeral and subsequent period of mourning. On the morning of the Conclave to elect the next pope, it was again Cardinal Ratzinger who led the Cardinals in the Pro Eligendo Mass. One of the Readings at that Mass was Eph 4: 14. In his homily on all of the readings, Cardinal Ratzinger provided deep reflections.
I just happened to awake early that morning, and turned on the tv at the point in his homily where he said:
How many winds of doctrine have we known in recent decades, how many ideological currents, how many ways of thinking. The small boat of the thought of many Christians has often been tossed about by these waves - flung from one extreme to another: from Marxism to liberalism, even to libertinism; from collectivism to radical individualism; from atheism to a vague religious mysticism; from agnosticism to syncretism and so forth. Every day new sects spring up, and what St Paul says about human deception and the trickery that strives to entice people into error (cf. Eph 4: 14) comes true.
I was totally captivated by his teaching. It was such an extraordinary commentary on the world around us.
The election of a new pope, we believe, is guided by the Holy Spirit. Sure, there are factions amongst the Cardinals who lobby for their favorite candidate but in the end, the choice is less intellectual and more inspirational. Can there be any doubt, reading the words of Benedict XVI, that the Holy Spirit was indeed at work that day.
You can read the entire homily here.
Better yet, you can read ALL of his homilies, speeches, letters, messages, et al, at the following link.
Enjoy!
Each Pope has his own style, but they are all teachers. Benedict XVI has a magnificent gift to be able to present complex ideas in a very understandable, articulate and eloquent manner.
I have a feeling that it would be incredible just to sit in his presence and listen to him talk about almost anything.
You and me both!
He seems an excellent teacher.
Before he became a bishop, he was a university professor. He is an academic at heart, a true scholar in the best sense of the word. He has tens of thousands of books and loves to read and write. While he was a Cardinal he entertained hopes of being able to retire to read and write books at his home in Germany near his brother, Georg. Alas, that did not come to pass. However, the role of Pope gives him an extraordinary opportunity to teach the entire world.
Benedict XVI also has the ability to beautifully craft his answers to different audiences. I am thinking of a public audience he gave to children who had received their First Communion within the past year. A handful of the new communicants were given the opportunity to ask him questions about the Sacrament of Communion. Their questions were pretty typical of young children. His answers were substantial yet he didn't talk down to them or over their heads.
I see NYer has already given you a link to the various communications of Benedict XVI during his pontificate (and a brief period before). If you are interested in reading some of the books he has written, you can find them at Ignatius Press, which publishes his books in English.
"I have a feeling that might be considered blasphemy of the darkest type by some."
Yeah, I know what you mean, I don't think anyone wants to be perceived as being soft on Judas. He does ellict a response though.
Here's another such question that I hope doesn't put me into the "blasphemy zone". I happened to kick around with some of my 8th graders last year, but never actually got them a certifiable answer.
What do you think about the idea that Judas had free will? Was he able discern what he did for himself? He did give into Satan's temptation, but was this "pre-destined" and was he simply manifesting God's plan? Essentially, did he really have a choice?
Jesus clearly knew who the betrayer would be and that he would betray him.
Can anyone point me to an resource for such an answer,...opinions are fine, too.