Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Ambrose, Bishop
Ambrose falls into my "one greater than I is coming after me" category. Great in himself, he is still eclipsed by his convert, Augustine. I suspect we may find a similar phenomenon with the pontificate of Benedict XVI. As great as John Paul II was (and I believe he was one of the greatest saints not only of our time or our century, but in the history of the Church), it could very well be that he was "preparing the way" for Benedict's ministry. There are any number of reports that Benedict's audiences are drawing greater crowds than JP2's, and that the people are somehow understanding his talks in a way that they seem not to have grasped JP2's message. I wonder if that is simply how it is in the Church. Even Jesus said that "the things I do, you will do and greater far than these." Those who give themselves to Jesus and the mission of the Church can expect to be surpassed by those who come after them, and--like John the Baptist--they rejoice in that.
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2 comments:
I don't think we have had enough time to take in the Pontificate of JPII who as i consider all of his Pontificate is perhaps THE greatest Pope our Church has been blessed to have.I'm not willing to say that greater crowds= greater witness.
"the people are somehow understanding his talks in a way that they seem not to have grasped JP2's message"
Hmmm.I'm not sure that ppl didn't grasp JPII's message.However,i do think it will be years before we come to truly appreciate the wealth of writings JPII left us and the same amount of time to truly appreciate his Pontificate. The signs of the Holy Spirit during JPII's pontificate say over and over-look here,this Pope is special.
Don't misunderstand. Wether one Pope or another is worthy of being called Great(JPII is)we have this obligation:Obedience.
This comment may appear to be disagreeable.I hope you won't take it that way.
I look forward to coming back to your blog and reading ALL the thoughts and comments you post.
(also looking forward to receiving the book Theology of the Body for Christmas! Mother asked what i wanted-and that was all).
GB!~
p4p
St. Augustine is a favorite of mine, though I have at most skimmed through his Confessions. I've wondered about St. Ambrose, the man whom St. Augustine admired so much. Jean at Catholic Fire had posted some of St. Ambrose's quotes, giving me a peek. I think I might like St. Ambrose's clarity. I hope to eventually at least have a survey of the early Church Fathers.
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