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BENEDICT XVI
GENERAL AUDIENCE
Saint Peter’s Square
Wednesday, 25 October 2006
"Paul of Tarsus
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We have concluded our reflections on the Twelve Apostles, called directly by Jesus during his earthly life. Today, we begin to examine the figures of other important early Church personalities.
They also spent their lives for the Lord, the Gospel and the Church. They are men and also women who, as Luke writes in the Book of Acts, “have risked their lives for the sake of Our Lord Jesus Christ” (15: 26).
The first of these, called by the Lord himself, by the Risen One, to be a true Apostle, is undoubtedly Paul of Tarsus. He shines like a star of the brightest magnitude in the Church’s history, and not only in that of its origins. St John Chrysostom praised him as a person superior even to many angels and archangels (cf. Panegirico, 7, 3). Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy, inspired by Luke’s account in Acts (cf. 9: 15), describes him simply as “vessel of election” (Inf. 2: 28), which means: instrument chosen by God. Others called him the “13th Apostle”, or directly, “the first after the Only”.
Certainly, after Jesus, he is one of the originals of whom we have the most information. In fact, we possess not only the account that Luke gives in the Acts of the Apostles, but also a group of Letters that have come directly from his hand and which, without intermediaries, reveal his personality and thought.
Luke tells us that his name originally was Saul (cf. Acts 7: 58; 8: 1), in Hebrew also Saul (cf. Acts 9: 14, 17; 22: 7, 13; 26: 14), like King Saul (cf. Acts 13: 21), and he was a Jew of the diaspora, since the city of Tarsus is situated between Anatolia and Syria.
Very soon he went to Jerusalem to study the roots of Mosaic Law in the footsteps of the great Rabbi Gamaliele (cf. Acts 22: 3). He also learned a manual and common trade, tent making (cf. Acts 18: 3), which later permitted him to provide personally for his own support without being a weight on the Churches (cf. Acts 20: 34; I Cor 4: 12; II Cor 12: 13).
It was decisive for him to know the community of those who called themselves disciples of Jesus. Through them he came to know a new faith - a new “way”, as it was called - that places not so much the Law of God at the centre but rather the person of Jesus, Crucified and Risen, to whom was now linked the remission of sins. As a zealous Jew, he held this message unacceptable, even scandalous, and he therefore felt the duty to persecute the followers of Christ even outside of Jerusalem.
It was precisely on the road to Damascus at the beginning of the 30s A.D. that, according to his words, “Christ made me his own” (Phil 3: 12). While Luke recounts the fact with abundant detail - like how the light of the Risen One touched him and fundamentally changed his whole life -, in his Letters he goes directly to the essential and speaks not only of a vision (cf. I Cor 9: 1), but of an illumination (cf. II Cor 4: 6), and above all of a revelation and of a vocation in the encounter with the Risen One (cf. Gal 1: 15-16).
In fact, he will explicitly define himself as “apostle by vocation” (cf. Rom 1: 1; I Cor 1: 1) or “apostle by the will of God” (II Cor 1: 1; Eph 1: 1; Col 1: 1), as if to emphasize that his conversion was not the result of a development of thought or reflection, but the fruit of divine intervention, an unforeseeable, divine grace.
Henceforth, all that had constituted for him a value paradoxically became, according to his words, a loss and refuse (cf. Phil 3: 7-10). And from that moment all his energy was placed at the exclusive service of Jesus Christ and his Gospel. His existence would become that of an Apostle who wants to “become all things to all men” (I Cor 9: 22) without reserve.
From here we draw a very important lesson: what counts is to place Jesus Christ at the centre of our lives, so that our identity is marked essentially by the encounter, by communion with Christ and with his Word. In his light every other value is recovered and purified from possible dross."
vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20061025_en.html
GENERAL AUDIENCE
Saint Peter’s Square
Wednesday, 25 October 2006
"Paul of Tarsus
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We have concluded our reflections on the Twelve Apostles, called directly by Jesus during his earthly life. Today, we begin to examine the figures of other important early Church personalities.
They also spent their lives for the Lord, the Gospel and the Church. They are men and also women who, as Luke writes in the Book of Acts, “have risked their lives for the sake of Our Lord Jesus Christ” (15: 26).
The first of these, called by the Lord himself, by the Risen One, to be a true Apostle, is undoubtedly Paul of Tarsus. He shines like a star of the brightest magnitude in the Church’s history, and not only in that of its origins. St John Chrysostom praised him as a person superior even to many angels and archangels (cf. Panegirico, 7, 3). Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy, inspired by Luke’s account in Acts (cf. 9: 15), describes him simply as “vessel of election” (Inf. 2: 28), which means: instrument chosen by God. Others called him the “13th Apostle”, or directly, “the first after the Only”.
Certainly, after Jesus, he is one of the originals of whom we have the most information. In fact, we possess not only the account that Luke gives in the Acts of the Apostles, but also a group of Letters that have come directly from his hand and which, without intermediaries, reveal his personality and thought.
Luke tells us that his name originally was Saul (cf. Acts 7: 58; 8: 1), in Hebrew also Saul (cf. Acts 9: 14, 17; 22: 7, 13; 26: 14), like King Saul (cf. Acts 13: 21), and he was a Jew of the diaspora, since the city of Tarsus is situated between Anatolia and Syria.
Very soon he went to Jerusalem to study the roots of Mosaic Law in the footsteps of the great Rabbi Gamaliele (cf. Acts 22: 3). He also learned a manual and common trade, tent making (cf. Acts 18: 3), which later permitted him to provide personally for his own support without being a weight on the Churches (cf. Acts 20: 34; I Cor 4: 12; II Cor 12: 13).
It was decisive for him to know the community of those who called themselves disciples of Jesus. Through them he came to know a new faith - a new “way”, as it was called - that places not so much the Law of God at the centre but rather the person of Jesus, Crucified and Risen, to whom was now linked the remission of sins. As a zealous Jew, he held this message unacceptable, even scandalous, and he therefore felt the duty to persecute the followers of Christ even outside of Jerusalem.
It was precisely on the road to Damascus at the beginning of the 30s A.D. that, according to his words, “Christ made me his own” (Phil 3: 12). While Luke recounts the fact with abundant detail - like how the light of the Risen One touched him and fundamentally changed his whole life -, in his Letters he goes directly to the essential and speaks not only of a vision (cf. I Cor 9: 1), but of an illumination (cf. II Cor 4: 6), and above all of a revelation and of a vocation in the encounter with the Risen One (cf. Gal 1: 15-16).
In fact, he will explicitly define himself as “apostle by vocation” (cf. Rom 1: 1; I Cor 1: 1) or “apostle by the will of God” (II Cor 1: 1; Eph 1: 1; Col 1: 1), as if to emphasize that his conversion was not the result of a development of thought or reflection, but the fruit of divine intervention, an unforeseeable, divine grace.
Henceforth, all that had constituted for him a value paradoxically became, according to his words, a loss and refuse (cf. Phil 3: 7-10). And from that moment all his energy was placed at the exclusive service of Jesus Christ and his Gospel. His existence would become that of an Apostle who wants to “become all things to all men” (I Cor 9: 22) without reserve.
From here we draw a very important lesson: what counts is to place Jesus Christ at the centre of our lives, so that our identity is marked essentially by the encounter, by communion with Christ and with his Word. In his light every other value is recovered and purified from possible dross."
vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20061025_en.html
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pablope
Guest
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ellzeena
Guest
Yes I am REALLY a Catholic. But I’m also an educated person capable of careful analysis. When Jesus said “What you bind on earth is bound in heaven, what you loose on earth is loosed in heaven” I don’t see any reference to any College of Cardinals (I know, the argument is that all Bishops are the descendants – indirect – of the Apostles) “elects” a man to speak for God (ex cathedra). The persistent references to Paul (as another poster mentioned insofar as my statement) rather than to Jesus causes me grave discomfort. Not to say that Paul’s words are not sometimes quite beautiful, inspiring, hopeful, etc. but it is not he who died in great suffering and humiliation for us. He had a vision of Christ; I’ve had a vision of the Blessed Mother. Does that make ME “appointed” to make statements on behalf of Jesus, her Son or on her behalf? I don’t think so, I could be wrong but I don’t think so. Paul is quoted in more homilies (both in Roman Catholicism and evangelical Christianity) than is Jesus! I have a problem with this. I don’t want to follow Paul, I want to follow Jesus, Whom I adore and love with all my heart!OK:shrug:
Acts. 9: 8-17 [wrtiiten by St. Luke] "Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Anani’as. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Anani’as.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying, and he has seen a man named Anani’as come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Anani’as answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem;
- So the FACT that God choose Paul doesn’t matter"
and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name.” ***But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” *** So Anani’as departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Friend are you REALLY a Catholic or someone just making waves?
- Nor does the fact that Paul suffetred more than ANY other Apostle?
- Nor does the FACT that Paul is Doing precisely what the HS [God] is directing him to do?
- Nor does **2nd. Tim. 3:16 ** " ***All scripture is inspired by God ***and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,"
God Bless you, If we all did God’s Will as fully as did Paul Heaven would actually be larger than hell.
Pat
You think because I disagree with you personally or with certain aspects of Roman Catholicism I am perhaps pretending to be Roman Catholic? That would make me a lunatic or a trouble maker, I am neither. My first question was in regard to that site where so many things were included in the examination of conscience vis a vis mortal sin as to be quite alarming since everyone uses obscenity at some point or other and of course it’s vulgar and yes it’s unacceptable social behavior but I hardly think it’s worthy of hell. Sorry, didn’t mean to start up a whole brouhaha here.
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VicTorDominican
Guest
We know based on common knowledge of early Christians. Ellzeena’s program of cutting the limbs off the body of Christ until she gets to the heart has been tried by many and always fails.
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ellzeena
Guest
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VicTorDominican
Guest
Funny you should focus on something every educated Catholic knows is an administrative artifice entirely of human origin. You probably don’t see any church steeples, bingo, or organ lofts either. Your argument is essentially the same as someone who sees a baby once and then 30 years later meets him again all grown up and denies they’re the same person.
B
Bookcat
Guest
Neither the Catholic Church …nor Catholic moral theology teaches that vulgar language is necessarily a mortal sin.
Are some forms of speech mortal sins? yes of course…like blasphemy ie speaking against God in words of hatred, reproach, or defiance etc…or detracting seriously, or other serious things.
But not all vulgar talk is considered mortal sins. But such is not for Christians and yes can still be sinful.
B
Bookcat
Guest
The site you happened across there …that concerned you…if one keeps reading…is way off in a land of their own. Nothing to be concerned with. It is an anti-catholic site.
Heck they think the Church observed Sunday for sun worship!!!
Which is very seriously off the beaten path…
We Christians observe that day of the week on account of the *Resurrection *of Jesus was on that day. And that has always been the reason.
That day is called: “The Day of the Lord” on account of the resurrection. Each week we celebrate a little feast of his resurrection.
Heck they think the Church observed Sunday for sun worship!!!
Which is very seriously off the beaten path…
We Christians observe that day of the week on account of the *Resurrection *of Jesus was on that day. And that has always been the reason.
That day is called: “The Day of the Lord” on account of the resurrection. Each week we celebrate a little feast of his resurrection.
B
Bookcat
Guest
I sincerely invite you to re-evaluate many of your ideas expressed on this thread …
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PJM
Guest
My dear friend in Christ,
Seeing that your well informed, PLEASE read these verses in the order I list them. They tell a wounderful fact.
Mt. 16:15-19
Mt. 10: 1-8
Mt. 18:18
John 14:16-17
John 17:15-19
John 20:19-23****Mt. 28:19-20
Note how they like building blocks, form a foundation for what we CATHOLICS believe and accept, as shouls all Catholics.
John 20:21-22 are the institution of todays CC. TaKE CAREFUL not of the FACT that Jesus Here transfers His Power and Authority as God to the Apostles and His [Christ] CC.
“As the Father sent Me; so too I [God] send you.”!
**Mt. 28 **would be an impossible task IF Christ did not empower the Fathers [Pope and Magisterium] to functon as NEEDED.
One does not find the terms Catholic. Protestanits, Trinity, Magerterium, or Pope in the Bible either… guess why?
It is perhaps impossible to FULLY follow Jesus without following what Paul teaches about Jesus.
Godl Bless you,
BE CAREFUL THAT YOUR PRIDE DOES NOT GET IN THE WAY OF YOUR SALVATION. PROFESSING TO KNOW MORE OR KNOW BETTER THAN GOD AND HIS CHOSEN LEADERS IS VERY SANDY SOIL. [John 15:16].
Pat
Only the CC
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pablope
Guest
You gave a very Catholic answer. You do not indicate what your religion is, so I am assuming something…so pardon me.
P
pablope
Guest
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ellzeena
Guest
They aren’t the same person. I guess you’ve never raised a child.
E
ellzeena
Guest
E
ellzeena
Guest
I am a Roman Catholic. In fact, I am an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister.
B
Bookcat
Guest
They are the same person. They are different via growth and education etc…but they are the same* person.*
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Nita
Guest
No. Whoever taught you that?
.There are certain conditions that MUST be present before one can sin mortally. The first condition is that it must be “grave matter”. Obscene language is not considered grave matter. Neither are some of the other items in the list.
Are you familiar with the term “venial sin”. These are sins that are not mortal/deadly. They do not cause us to lose the life of sanctifying grace. If we died with unrepented venial sins, we would still be saved - altho we would have to be cleansed before entering heaven (in Purgatory).
Just because something is classified as a sin against a commandment doesn’t mean it is a mortal sin. All sins (mortal and venial) are against one of the commandments in some way.
Regarding the questioning as to whether you are Catholic, it’s because you seem to be unfamiliar with some of the basic teachings - especially something as basic as what constitutes a mortal sin. I know there were some years where the catechesis of youth was horrible and hardly any content taught, but you said you were taught in the 1950’s and 60’s, so hopefully you had at least a few years of solid teaching.
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ellzeena
Guest
This is misinterpretation to me. MT 28:18, "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”My dear friend in Christ,
Seeing that your well informed, PLEASE read these verses in the order I list them. They tell a wounderful fact.
Mt. 16:15-19
Mt. 10: 1-8
Mt. 18:18
John 14:16-17
John 17:15-19
John 20:19-23****Mt. 28:19-20
Note how they like building blocks, form a foundation for what we CATHOLICS believe and accept, as shouls all Catholics.
John 20:21-22 are the institution of todays CC. TaKE CAREFUL not of the FACT that Jesus Here transfers His Power and Authority as God to the Apostles and His [Christ] CC.
“As the Father sent Me; so too I [God] send you.”!
**Mt. 28 **would be an impossible task IF Christ did not empower the Fathers [Pope and Magisterium] to functon as NEEDED.
One does not find the terms Catholic. Protestanits, Trinity, Magerterium, or Pope in the Bible either… guess why?
It is perhaps impossible to FULLY follow Jesus without following what Paul teaches about Jesus.
Godl Bless you,
BE CAREFUL THAT YOUR PRIDE DOES NOT GET IN THE WAY OF YOUR SALVATION. PROFESSING TO KNOW MORE OR KNOW BETTER THAN GOD AND HIS CHOSEN LEADERS IS VERY SANDY SOIL. [John 15:16].
Pat
Only the CC
Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was not present at the time. “Go and make disciples of all men…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” these are the words of Jesus. He doesn’t say, “all the teaching Paul has given you…” I have no pride, I have the leading of the Holy Spirit in my soul, in my heart, in my mind, and it is revealed to me as God engineers the course of my life on a day to day basis. I CAN follow Jesus without Paul. I DO follow Jesus without Paul. I reject the infallibility of those Popes who made ex cathedra declarations for selfish, monetary, political and personal gain (and this HAS happened). “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” doesn’t mean the BISHOPS, the CARDINALS, the POPES, it means YOU, it means ME “Enter through the narrows gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14). Blindly following is error, in my humble opinion. Jesus fulfilled the Law down to the very last words spoken on the cross which were originally in the OT so that the Orthodox among the crowd would recognize this fulfillment. I’m not trying to be “right” or prove anyone “wrong”, I’m following my heart and the God I have leaned on for my entire life.
“Without presuming that the perpetrators are conscious enemies of the Church (although some of them may well be), based on the evidence it appears that the probable motive for the crime [withholding the full message of Fatima] is this: The perpetrators recognize that the contents of the Message of Fatima, as understood in the traditional Catholic sense, cannot coexist with decisions made since the Second Vatican Council…convert[ing] the Catholic Church from a divine institution that directs its earthly activity toward the eternal salvation of souls to a mere co-participant with human organizations…” (“The Devil’s Final Battle”, . xxi) In 1984, (then) Cardinal Ratzinger, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, admits that a crisis of faith is affecting the Church around the world and revealed he has read the Third Secret and that the Secret refers to “dangers threatening the faith and life of the Christian and therefore (the life) of the world”. He is now the Pope. He has not dedicated Russia to the Blessed Virgin and is not likely to do so, ever. It is reported that a portion of this Secret is known to be a warning of apostasy in the Church, at its highest levels. Do the math.
Blindly following anything is always a mistake. God is merciful and communicates with us through his creation on a daily basis. For some, He does this in a more profound manner, up front and personal. He does not want one soul to perish and will go to great lengths to prevent that from occurring, even to following each individual soul into the depths in order to offer one moment of salvation. I know this to be true. And he forgives easily, but there are limits. I don’t know what those limits are. I don’t presume to be a prophet but I’ve been led and loved by God since very, very early childhood. I think one has to be ready, willing and able to question authority. I think it’s required of us, actually.
From youth I knew something cataclysmic would occur during my lifetime. This might have been part of the message I received during my vision at age 5 and it might very well have been directed at me for certainly something cataclysmic did occur. But that “feeling”, that “sense” of its coming, is still there. I think we are looking, square in the eye, a serious chastisement.
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Farsight001
Guest
ellzeena, I must say, I don’t get the impression that you are Catholic at all. Your perspective and your terminology use suggests to me that you are an anti-Catholic who, like hundreds before, thinks their proselytizing will be more effective if they pretend to be Catholic. Let me tell you now - it never works.
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