Godless Life Isn't a Freer One, Affirms Pope
Opposes Idea That Faith Is Limiting
VATICAN CITY, MAY 23, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Life without God isn't freer, Benedict XVI says, discrediting the idea that the Church's commandments are a constraint.
The Pope affirmed this in a message made public Thursday for the 97th "Deutscher Katholikentag" ecclesial meeting. The event, organized by German laity, gathered some 500,000 people in Osnabruck. It runs through Sunday.
Commenting on the theme chosen for the meeting -- "He brought me out into a broad place," a line from Psalm 18 -- the Holy Father wrote that "no small number of people today [...] are afraid that the faith may limit their lives, that they may be constrained in the web of the Church's commandments and teachings, and that they will no longer be free to move in the 'broad space' of modern life and thought."
However, he affirmed, "only when our lives have reached the heart of God will they have found that 'broad space' for which we were created. A life without God does not become freer and broader. Human beings are destined for the infinite."
Benedict XVI said, "The heart that has opened itself to God" has become "generous and broad in its turn."
Such a person does not need to seek happiness and success "or to give weight to the opinions of others," the Pontiff noted. He is "free and generous, open to the call of God" and "can give all of himself faithfully because he knows -- wherever he goes -- that he is safe in God's hands."
"We trust that the meeting with God, in his word and in the celebration of the Eucharist, may open our hearts and transform us into gushing fonts of faith for others," the Holy Father continued. He particularly asked the lay faithful to ensure "that the future not be moulded exclusively by others."
"Intervene with imagination and persuasive ability in the debates of the present time," he encouraged. "Using the Gospel as your parameter, participate actively in the political and social life of your country. As lay Catholics, dare to participate in creating the future, in unison with priests and bishops!"
Opposes Idea That Faith Is Limiting
VATICAN CITY, MAY 23, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Life without God isn't freer, Benedict XVI says, discrediting the idea that the Church's commandments are a constraint.
The Pope affirmed this in a message made public Thursday for the 97th "Deutscher Katholikentag" ecclesial meeting. The event, organized by German laity, gathered some 500,000 people in Osnabruck. It runs through Sunday.
Commenting on the theme chosen for the meeting -- "He brought me out into a broad place," a line from Psalm 18 -- the Holy Father wrote that "no small number of people today [...] are afraid that the faith may limit their lives, that they may be constrained in the web of the Church's commandments and teachings, and that they will no longer be free to move in the 'broad space' of modern life and thought."
However, he affirmed, "only when our lives have reached the heart of God will they have found that 'broad space' for which we were created. A life without God does not become freer and broader. Human beings are destined for the infinite."
Benedict XVI said, "The heart that has opened itself to God" has become "generous and broad in its turn."
Such a person does not need to seek happiness and success "or to give weight to the opinions of others," the Pontiff noted. He is "free and generous, open to the call of God" and "can give all of himself faithfully because he knows -- wherever he goes -- that he is safe in God's hands."
"We trust that the meeting with God, in his word and in the celebration of the Eucharist, may open our hearts and transform us into gushing fonts of faith for others," the Holy Father continued. He particularly asked the lay faithful to ensure "that the future not be moulded exclusively by others."
"Intervene with imagination and persuasive ability in the debates of the present time," he encouraged. "Using the Gospel as your parameter, participate actively in the political and social life of your country. As lay Catholics, dare to participate in creating the future, in unison with priests and bishops!"
