Lombardi editorial: one book, one promise

The Pope’s new book on the infancy of Jesus, a scholastically biblical work full of theological and spiritual reflections, has arrived just in time to accompany us through the Advent and Christmas seasons. It fulfils a promise he made when the book on Jesus’ public life was first published, and again at the publication of the book about Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection. Even though he made it clear that the primary objective of his work was to bring about an “understanding of the person of Jesus, his word, and his actions,” without specific reference to the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ infancy (crf Prologue, volume II), he did not wish to deprive us of this “little entryway” into the first two volumes. Introducing it with his usual humility: “I am well aware that this dialogue between the past, present and future will never be achieved… I hope that, in spite of its limitations, this short book can help many in their journey towards and with Jesus.” Just as the elderly Pope John Paul II courageously revealed his interior self through the poetic meditation “Roman Triptych,” Pope Benedict XVI, with no less courage, did the same in his study of the Lord’s face and the encounter with him. He knew full well he would be met with objections – legitimate or otherwise; however, the interaction between Scripture study, theological reflection, human culture, and personal human conflict is nonetheless extraordinary and fascinating. Joseph Ratzinger experienced first hand – both before and after becoming Pope – the drama of the “fissure between the historical Jesus and the Christ of the faith” and committed himself to guide each of us, and therefore the Church, to overcome it, so that we might experience the serenity and depth of found in a personal relationship with Jesus. And this service is more important and urgent than many others in the governance of the Church, in that it is primarily responsible for the faith of the Church. We thank him, therefore, for what he has accomplished; it was no easy task to complete this work over a period of nine years. It is true what Cardinal Martini said at the conclusion of his presentation of the first volume: “The book is very beautiful and helps us to better understand Jesus Son of God, and to better understand the great faith of the Author.”