[Salvation]

for your continued discussion.

We thank you, Lord, for Pope Benedict XVI!

[Salvation]

Catholic Discussion Ping!

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[AlbionGirl]

Bumped, bookmarked and thanks.

[goldstategop]

I was struck by the invocation of the theme from Exodus - the imagery of people searching for union with God. The Pope was aware its the first day of Passover and this invocation is not an accident. And the rest of his message built on it by arguing that freedom without God is not really freedom - its a different form of slavery. We will really be free only when we extend thanks to the One who implanted the very idea of freedom in our souls. We need God to complete us - by experiencing freedom that can be found only in the joy and strength of faith in Him.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[tiredoflaundry]

bump!

[sneakers]

Thanks for posting this and thanks for the ping Salvation! I didn't get a chance to watch. Hoping to catch the installation later today on EWTN.

[ELS]

My real programme of governance is not to do my own will, not to pursue my own ideas, but to listen, together with the whole Church, to the word and the will of the Lord, to be guided by Him, so that He himself will lead the Church at this hour of our history.

Thank you, God, for giving us such a holy, intelligent and brave Supreme Pontiff.

[Judica me]

I'm very concerned that Pope Benedict XVI continues to carry that grotesque crucifix carried for many years by his predecessor. He needs our prayers.

[Diva]

Thank you Salvation for posting. I watched this morning but didn't get past the Pallium as I fell asleep. Also, I find Pope Benedict easier to read than to listen to as I can digest his words better that way.

[big'ol_freeper]

What wonderful words! If only the world would harden on their hearts and listen.

[AlbionGirl]

Masterful, beautiful!

Yes, he would certainly have taken something away from them: the dominion of corruption, the manipulation of law and the freedom to do as they pleased. But he would not have taken away anything that pertains to human freedom or dignity, or to the building of a just society. The Pope was also speaking to everyone, especially the young. Are we not perhaps all afraid in some way? If we let Christ enter fully into our lives, if we open ourselves totally to him, are we not afraid that He might take something away from us? Are we not perhaps afraid to give up something significant, something unique, something that makes life so beautiful? Do we not then risk ending up diminished and deprived of our freedom? And once again the Pope said: No! If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed. Only in this friendship do we experience beauty and liberation. And so, today, with great strength and great conviction, on the basis of long personal experience of life, I say to you, dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ – and you will find true life. Amen.

What an honest man Pope Benedict is!!! He does know his Flock already, he knows them very well, as evidenced by the italicized text.

My affection for our Good Pope is growing greater and greater by the syllable.

[Thorin]

Thanks for posting this outstanding homily.

[wideawake]

Only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is. We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.

This caused some of the usual suspects some apoplexy, I'll wager.

[ninenot]

This is going to be a barn-burner of a Papacy!

[St.Chuck]

Thanks for posting this. I had to leave for mass on the re-broadcast this morning, and then fell asleep during the re-rebroadcast this afternoon. I think it is a great homily, better read than heard translated. Thanks for disseminating the words of our great new pope.

[Lady In Blue]

I've been thinking God every day for Pope Benedict! Thanks for posting this thread on a most beautiful homily!

[Ciexyz]

A difficult read, since it registers on my screen as approx. an inch or so wide.

[Ciexyz]

Most impressive speech. I also watched the ABC broadcast of the installation at 4 AM EST and was favorably impressed by the humble, loving, servant attitude of Pope Benedict XVI.