I’m a bit behind in my reading, but I read the Holy Father’s All Saints Day sermon today, and thought I would blog it for the benefit of the Lutherans out there. See what you think:
Holiness demands a constant effort but it is possible for all since it is not just the work of man but is above all a gift of God, who is thrice holy (cf. Isaiah 6:3). In the second reading the Apostle John observes: “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are” (1 John 3:1)…
In truth, the blessed par excellence is only him, Jesus. Indeed, he is the truly poor in spirit, the afflicted, the meek one, the one hungering and thirsting for justice, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemaker; he is the one persecuted for the sake of justice….
In the measure that we accept his proposal and follow him — everyone according to his own circumstances — we too can participate in his beatitude. With him the impossible becomes possible and in the end the camel passes through the eye of needle (cf. Mark 10:25); with his help, only with his help, we are able to become perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect (cf. Matthew 5:48).
There’s no doubt about it. Pope Benedict is a beautiful theologian and pastor. We are so blessed.