Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a world changing figure? Rarely do us common folk get a glimpse into the state of such an individual, but Peter Seewald affords such an opportunity into the life and mind of Pope Benedict XVI. Light of the World is a candid conversation that reverently handles such delicate topics as the sexual scandal surrounding the molestation of children by Catholic priests and the Catholic reponse to birth control. Despite his position as the leader of the world's largest religious community, Pope Benedict XVI does not shy away from these or any other questions Seewald poses.
Initially when I picked up the book, I expected a propagandistic approach to the conversation that would promote Catholic virtues and recruit new members to the fold. On the contrary, Pope Benedict expresses personal humility and collective repentance for the entire Catholic world. His responses to the major failures of commission and omission by Catholic leaders indicate this is a heavy hearted world leader. His expression of remorse for the humanness of his leadership and his compassion for the victims of abuse is commendable.
As I read the conversation further, I found myself appreciative of such a man, such a global icon. Pope Benedict XVI is unswerving in his Christian commitment. Jesus is his leader, his teacher, his Savior. Throughout his rise to the papacy, Joseph Ratzinger maintained a personal journey to research, to write and to promote the life and death of Christ. Among his numerous books, his series of the life of Christ embodies his passion for the Lord. In 2011, Pope Benedict followed up his first book on Jesus of Nazareth. This second book on the life of Christ released spanning the events of the Holy Week.
Pope Benedict's personal commitment to a Biblically based, conservative theology combined with a progressive perspective on the papacy as a more human institution makes him a gift from God in this most powerful position. Despite my fundamentalist upbringing and my currently progressive faith, I feel reassured that we have been blessed by such a man in such a position.
Light of the World is a terrific read as it allows us all to see first hand what Pope Benedict considers to be the major issues for the Catholic world to address in this volatile period of human history. The more than one billion members of the Catholic Church must be delighted to have such a man as their leader.
Comments