Weekly Audience Dedicated to St Paul and Fidelity to the Faith
(28 Jan 09 - RV) Pope Benedict continued his series of lessons on the life and teachings
of St Paul this week focusing on his catechesis on 'Fidelty to the Faith': Dear
Brothers and Sisters, In our catechesis on the writings of Saint Paul, we come
now to the Pastoral Epistles, the two Letters addressed to Timothy and the one to
Titus. Although their authorship remains debated, these three Letters, while subsequent
to the central years of Paul’s life and activity, clearly appeal to his authority
and draw from his teaching. Against threats to the purity of the apostolic tradition,
they insist on a discerning understanding of the Scriptures and fidelity to the deposit
of faith. Scripture and Tradition are seen as the “firm foundation laid by God” for
the life of the Church (cf. 2 Tim 2:19), and the basis of her mission of leading all
people to the knowledge of God’s saving truth (cf. 1 Tim 2:1-4). The Pastoral Epistles
also reflect the development of the Church’s ministerial structures, and in particular
the emergence of the figure of the Bishop within the group of presbyters. They present
the Church in very human terms as God’s household, a family in which the Bishop acts
with the authority of a father. Inspired by this vision, let us ask Saint Paul to
help all Christians to live as members of God’s family, and their Pastors to be strong
and loving fathers, committed to building up their flocks in faith and unity.
*
* * I am pleased to greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present
at today’s Audience, including the groups from England and the United States of America.
Upon you and your families I willingly invoke God’s blessings of peace and joy!