How do you respond to the spirituality of Pope Benedict?

[smolderingwick]

How do you view Pope Benedict and the way he sees things differently than Pope JP II?

How much do you even know about him? I am just learning and would like any (name removed by moderator)ut you can provide, mostly i want your opinions on him, what you like/don’t like…

Thanks. God bless.

 

[TOP]

Hi, at first I wasn’t quite sure about Pope Benedict. Then I had a dream I was confessing my sins to him. I cried as I rested my head on his chest and he consoled me. That totally changed my veiws of him. Now I see him getting the Church ready for battle. He is drawing a line in the dirt, so to speak. I think he will cleanse the Church and that is what the Lord showed me in that dream. I love JP2 like everyone else. But I didn’t practice under him. He was what was needed for the time. Tim

 

[Orionthehunter]

From smolderingwickHow do you view Pope Benedict and the way he sees things differently than Pope JP II?

He is a different person called by Christ to teach the Truth and in his difference he has the capacity to see the Truth thru a new prism which enhances our capacity to see the Truth more fully.

From smolderingwick: How much do you even know about him?

I’m like you learning about him.

From smolderingwick: I am just learning and would like any (name removed by moderator)ut you can provide, mostly i want your opinions on him, what you like/don’t like…

My opinions are not only irrelevant but distracting. The main point is that the Holy Spirit has selected him to be my Shepherd.

But what I’ve learned about him is that he is a very serious and learned theologian. His book called “Introduction to Christianity” (which I thought would be a primer and simple reading) was so deep he needed 87 pages to explain the meaning of the first two words of the Apostle’s Creed “I believe”.

It is in this background from academia that Pope BXVI uses words to teach while Pope JPII’s background from being a Pastor used actions to teach. Different styles and approaches but both effective and necessary at different times.

It appears to me that the long Pontificate of JPII and its singularity of “prism and technique to teach” is why the Holy Spirit picked someone so distinctly different.

Praise God and His Perfect Wisdom!

 

[scottm]

How do you view Pope Benedict and the way he sees things differently than Pope JP II?

How much do you even know about him? I am just learning and would like any (name removed by moderator)ut you can provide, mostly i want your opinions on him, what you like/don’t like…

Thanks. God bless.

I’m just getting started in learning about him, but so far I’m extremely excited to have a master theologian at the helm.

Sometimes you just gotta draw the lines of divisions and say “No! I already thought about that, and it’s wrong!” There are some storm clouds in the distance suggesting that maybe this is indeed such a time.

 

[diligamus]

I’m just getting started in learning about him, but so far I’m extremely excited to have a master theologian at the helm.

As I mentioned on the other thread, I’ve just started to read his book Jesus of Nazareth. I’m reading it very slowly because it’s so thoughtful. I like it and find it inspiring, helpful, and thought-provoking,

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I’m not into Pope Benedict XVI as I was with John Paul II and for me, he’s been a disappointment.

First was his statement on Islam, which tore down all the bridges John Paul II had made with Muslims. It also resulted in the deaths of two nuns, living in Bethlehem.

Second, was the 10 Commandments of Driving, which really wasn’t from him, but a Vatican bueraucracy. It was an embarrassment.

Third, giving in to schismatics with the TLM. I think this will cause divisions, which John Paul II would never had done.

Jim

 

[blessedstar]

I prayed earnestly to the Holy Spirit that Cardinal Ratzinger would be the Pope.

He is a very learned man that is true, but there is something about him. A sincere retiring humility and a quite and gentle love of the Church, the Church being the Majesterium and the people.

I have every confidence in the office of Pope which is infallible in the matters of doctrine; to this end personality has no bearing.

However there is a profound nature to Pope Benedict 16th; I am sure he is a Saint, though of course I have no authority to say this, but he has a boldness in faith that challenges humanity to seek the Truth and challenges the faithful to abide by the Truth. Pope Benedict 16th leads his flock out to be on fire for Jesus, for the Gospel to burn in their hearts and to permeate every moment of their lives being unafraid in this world of contraries to cleave to the Truth, Christ Jesus and to be beacons of light for humanity and the world.

Pope Benedict 16th, if he told me to walk over hot coals for love of Jesus and my faith, well I would do it. I love our Pope and I pray for him everyday in the Living Prayer of my life.

May we all have the courage of the martyrs to follow our faith.

In the Living Prayer of my life

 

[the_phoenix]

Pope John Paul II must have prayed one time for the healing of families in America, and in answer to that prayer, I had a dream while he was still alive that became urgently important to my life upon his death. His generosity, his joy, his special bond with the youth, his going to the ends of the Earth to reach out to people, his being pro-life … all wonderful. I heartily hope for the speedy declaration of sainthood for Pope John Paul the Great!

When the name of “Ratzinger” was declared at the most recent “HABEMUS PAPAM,” I nearly let out a cheer of joy, but remained quiet because I was watching and listening to FOX News on the computer at my desk on my lunch break at a time when others were working. By a magnificent grace of Divine Providence, my boss had allowed me to take an extended lunch break because she knew how important the Catholic Church is to me.

Being an introvert, I find it a little easier to relate to Pope Benedict XVI in terms of personality. Whether the topic be the dictatorship of relativism or a frank discussion regarding Muslims, he gets right down to what’s important in a way that I tend to respond with a "YAY TEAM !!! "

07/07/07, The day of the Pope’s proclamation of the Motu Proprio “Summorum Pontificum,” which allows for wider availability of the Tridentine Latin Mass for those of us faithful Catholics who want it, will someday be seen as a great day in history and a turning point in the right direction for the Catholic Church! (So sayeth one who has not a schismatic bone in my body, thank you very much.)

~~ the phoenix

 

[blessedstar]

Phoenix

I remember that day like it was yesterday. My daughter and I were watching BBC Uk news and we let out the greatest cheer, we clapped and cheered, we were so happy. We went out into the garden and thanked God and cheered and cheered and did a holy dance. Our joy was so great that day. Our neighbours looked over to us, I said ‘We have a Pope’ they nodded and that was that! Well they cheer at football!

I agree with your post so much. I have prayed for a long time that the Tridentine Latin Mass and the Verncular Mass exist alongside each other in peace and this is happening in our very sight. Thank God!!!

Pope Benedict 16th will learm from previous errors and will ‘strip’ and ‘exorcise’ the Church, watch and wait, you will see. The Truth will be profoundly taught throughout the entire world. Hold your heads up high and pray for the courage of the martyrs to follow your faith.

In the Living Prayer of my life

 

[TOP]

Pope John Paul II must have prayed one time for the healing of families in America, and in answer to that prayer, I had a dream while he was still alive that became urgently important to my life upon his death. His generosity, his joy, his special bond with the youth, his going to the ends of the Earth to reach out to people, his being pro-life … all wonderful. I heartily hope for the speedy declaration of sainthood for Pope John Paul the Great!

When the name of “Ratzinger” was declared at the most recent “HABEMUS PAPAM,” I nearly let out a cheer of joy, but remained quiet because I was watching and listening to FOX News on the computer at my desk on my lunch break at a time when others were working. By a magnificent grace of Divine Providence, my boss had allowed me to take an extended lunch break because she knew how important the Catholic Church is to me.

Being an introvert, I find it a little easier to relate to Pope Benedict XVI in terms of personality. Whether the topic be the dictatorship of relativism or a frank discussion regarding Muslims, he gets right down to what’s important in a way that I tend to respond with a "YAY TEAM !!! "

07/07/07, The day of the Pope’s proclamation of the Motu Proprio “Summorum Pontificum,” which allows for wider availability of the Tridentine Latin Mass for those of us faithful Catholics who want it, will someday be seen as a great day in history and a turning point in the right direction for the Catholic Church! (So sayeth one who has not a schismatic bone in my body, thank you very much.)

~~ the phoenix

My wife is Byzantine. Though she goes to the NO Mass with me, I can feel her discomfort. The TLM , even though will be limited and a few years away at my parish, will prove unitive in my worship with my wife. I see the same for the east and west. Tim

 

[Tantum_ergo]

I love them both, John Paul II (whom I saw in Boston when he was here to visit in 1979) and Benedict XVI (from my grandfather’s ‘home’ of Bavaria).

John Paul, who spoke to ‘the young people’ when I ‘was’ the young people. Benedict, who speaks to young and old alike, now that I have ‘passed’ young, and am ‘passing’ mid life.

John Paul, in early years the go-getter, the active, the unparalleled 'speaker. Benedict, now in his later years the quiet, contemplative, unparalleled writer. John Paul who found himself, like St. Peter, ‘going where he did not want to go’ at the end of his life, his once active body in the grip of Parkinson’s, who gave us a shining example of how to live and to die for God. Benedict, likewise ‘going where he did not want to go’, calling upon his physical reserves rather than husbanding them.

John Paul, whose love sought to build bridges from ‘gossamer strings’. Benedict, whose love seeks to either turn that gossamer into something which will KEEP the bridges JP built enduring, or, if necessary, to lovingly take down what WILL NOT HOLD, and lovingly build up WHAT WILL HOLD.

 

[Ki_Ki]

When he was first elected Pope I wasn’t Catholic or even thinking about becoming Catholic but there was something about him that I liked.

He’s bold, he speaks his mind, he doesn’t sugarcoat things. I like the direction he’s taking the Church in.

 

[Teelynn]

Hi, at first I wasn’t quite sure about Pope Benedict. Then I had a dream I was confessing my sins to him. I cried as I rested my head on his chest and he consoled me. That totally changed my veiws of him. Now I see him getting the Church ready for battle. He is drawing a line in the dirt, so to speak. I think he will cleanse the Church and that is what the Lord showed me in that dream. I love JP2 like everyone else. But I didn’t practice under him. He was what was needed for the time. Tim

Couldn’t have said it better. I think the Holy Spirit guides us in the qualities of leadership from The Holy Father relevant to what The Church needs at a particular period of time.

JP was extremely successful in pulling us together so to speak. He was a genius at inspiring and evangelizing our young people. He was known to have brought countless souls either back to or in to the Church of Christ. I too see Benedict as the Holy Father that must and will “start preparing us for the final battle.” I see him as our “Warrior Leader.” I am terrible at remembering where I read things, but I read somewhere that he was being coined “The Rottweiler for Christ.” I myself don’t know if I’d go that far, but he doesn’t seem to be afraid to take a definitive stand for The Church. Get’s into hot water quite often and doesn’t seem to care.

 

[GregoryPalamas]

I love Pope Benedict XVI. He is challenging both the secular left and Islam to combine reason with faith. It seems precisely what we need. God is blessing him and is blessing the world through his leadership.

CDL

 

[johnstown_johnn]

I recall reading a short interview shortly after Cardinal Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI. The interviewer asked him something like, "…Your Holiness, how do you face the challenge of being Pope John Paul’s successor?

His answer: “I am NOT John-Paul’s successor; I am Peter’s successor.”

That one line said it all for me. Our Pontiff has it all together and is Christ’s Vicar on earth just as if Peter himself was current pope.

Our Pope Benedict is a most holy man. He is the man for our time.

 

[FCEGM]

Couldn’t have said it better. I think the Holy Spirit guides us in the qualities of leadership from The Holy Father relevant to what The Church needs at a particular period of time.

JP was extremely successful in pulling us together so to speak. He was a genius at inspiring and evangelizing our young people. He was known to have brought countless souls either back to or in to the Church of Christ. I too see Benedict as the Holy Father that must and will “start preparing us for the final battle.” I see him as our “Warrior Leader.” I am terrible at remembering where I read things, but I read somewhere that he was being coined “The Rottweiler for Christ.” I myself don’t know if I’d go that far, but he doesn’t seem to be afraid to take a definitive stand for The Church. Get’s into hot water quite often and doesn’t seem to care.

And I couldn’t have said this any better. The Lord has provided us with yet another faithful servant to pastor His flock.

 

[Graing]

I’m not into Pope Benedict XVI as I was with John Paul II and for me, he’s been a disappointment.

First was his statement on Islam, which tore down all the bridges John Paul II had made with Muslims. It also resulted in the deaths of two nuns, living in Bethlehem.

Second, was the 10 Commandments of Driving, which really wasn’t from him, but a Vatican bueraucracy. It was an embarrassment.

Third, giving in to schismatics with the TLM. I think this will cause divisions, which John Paul II would never had done.

Jim

I don’t think that it is fair to blame Pope Benedict for the brutality of fundamentalist Islam. These fanatics are killing Christians around the world without so much as a sideways glance from the Pope.

And I do not agree at all that he was “giving in to the schismatics”. I personally don’t think it was at all controversial. There has always been a place in the Catholic church for the Tridentine right, it just hasn’t been as widely celebrated.

I see him as bringing a wash of orthodoxy and speaking plainly without appeasement. Remember that Jesus himself said that he did not come to bring peace. I believe it is time to be unashamed of our faith, share what we believe when asked - and unapologetically so. Jesus asked us to bring his Gospels to the world. I don’t think He wants us to be wishy-washy about our faith and fearful of hurting feelings when spreading His Word.

I guess the short of it is… I like Pope Benedict XVI :getholy:

 

[GregoryPalamas]

I believe the world desparately needs his clear statement that faith is reasonable. It is most refreshing.

CDL

 

[Dauphin]

I’m not into Pope Benedict XVI as I was with John Paul II and for me, he’s been a disappointment.

First was his statement on Islam, which tore down all the bridges John Paul II had made with Muslims. It also resulted in the deaths of two nuns, living in Bethlehem.

Why do we need bridges with Islam, and how can you blame the Pope for islamic violence in response to the truth?

Second, was the 10 Commandments of Driving, which really wasn’t from him, but a Vatican bueraucracy. It was an embarrassment.

Yeah, he probably shouldn’t have let that one happen.

Third, giving in to schismatics with the TLM. I think this will cause divisions, which John Paul II would never had done.

Yeah, cus only the schismatics value the traditions of the church…

The only kind of division this will cause is for the modernists to ‘divide’ themselves from the church. I say good riddance!

 

[Tim_Kirchoff]

I’m not into Pope Benedict XVI as I was with John Paul II and for me, he’s been a disappointment.

First was his statement on Islam, which tore down all the bridges John Paul II had made with Muslims. It also resulted in the deaths of two nuns, living in Bethlehem.
Second, was the 10 Commandments of Driving, which really wasn’t from him, but a Vatican bueraucracy. It was an embarrassment.

Third, giving in to schismatics with the TLM. I think this will cause divisions, which John Paul II would never had done.

Jim

Is this referring to the time where he was taken out of context?