"Caritas in veritate" - Pope Benedict XVI - Amazing!

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We continue to read Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical, “Caritas in Veritate” today pondering paragraph #59:

1. Cooperation for development must not be concerned exclusively with the economic dimension: it offers a wonderful opportunity for encounter between cultures and peoples. If the parties to cooperation on the side of economically developed countries — as occasionally happens — fail to take account of their own or others’ cultural identity, or the human values that shape it, they cannot enter into meaningful dialogue with the citizens of poor countries. If the latter, in their turn, are uncritically and indiscriminately open to every cultural proposal, they will not be in a position to assume responsibility for their own authentic development. Technologically advanced societies must not confuse their own technological development with a presumed cultural superiority, but must rather rediscover within themselves the oft-forgotten virtues which made it possible for them to flourish throughout their history. Evolving societies must remain faithful to all that is truly human in their traditions, avoiding the temptation to overlay them automatically with the mechanisms of a globalized technological civilization. In all cultures there are examples of ethical convergence, some isolated, some interrelated, as an expression of the one human nature, willed by the Creator; the tradition of ethical wisdom knows this as the natural law. This universal moral law provides a sound basis for all cultural, religious and political dialogue, and it ensures that the multi-faceted pluralism of cultural diversity does not detach itself from the common quest for truth, goodness and God. Thus adherence to the law etched on human hearts is the precondition for all constructive social cooperation. Every culture has burdens from which it must be freed and shadows from which it must emerge. The Christian faith, by becoming incarnate in cultures and at the same time transcending them, can help them grow in universal brotherhood and solidarity, for the advancement of global and community development.

Pope Benedict, it seems to me, is so steeped in Scripture he finds in God’s Word the Truth mankind needs to hear: One human nature in the Image and Likeness of God Who is Love. Hence again the title of his encyclical “Charity in Truth” How can we learn to love one another as God has loved us? We need to Listen to His Word and ask for His Wisdom. I believe Pope Benedict has done that each time he has written anything I’ve read. This encyclical was a surprise to me in many ways, for he is seeking to share what he has learned for all of us to advance global and community development. Amazing! But then again – we cannot forget the New Testament Gospel of Luke in which Mary was assured, “Nothing is impossible with God”. He sent His Son to become Incarnate in her womb and to show us the Way the Truth and the Life God had for us! Each person is important to God and can by His Grace, learn to live “Charity in Truth”.