Lombardi Editorial: Courage and humility of faith

(Vatican Radio) The Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi SJ, has released his weekly editorial in which he reflects the homily for the Solemnity of the Epiphany. Please find Vatican Radio's English translation of the editorial, below.

Courage and humility of faith

“Seeking the truth meant more than the taunts of the world, so apparently clever.” This is what the Pope said in his homily of the Epiphany, reflecting on the courage of the Magi, and he applied this thinking to the mission of the new bishops, who today must often go against the tide because “the humility of faith, of sharing the faith of the Church of every age, will constantly be in conflict with the prevailing wisdom.” Nothing prevents us from widening the scope of his speech. In fact, the Pope continued by explaining that “today’s regnant agnosticism has its own dogmas and is extremely intolerant regarding anything that would question it and the criteria it employs.” Contradicting the prevailing mindset requires being brave – “courageous” says Pope Benedict. The relevance of these words does not need much comment, given the multiplicity of examples. But no less significant is what the Pope further adds: “this courage or forcefulness does not consist in striking out or in acting aggressively, but rather in allowing oneself to be struck and to be steadfast before the principles of the prevalent way of thinking.” Even if the practical methods by which different members and components of ecclesial communities will have to seek the best way to place themselves and act according to their duties in the specific situations they find themselves in, the Pope gives everyone a fundamental lesson of evangelical spirit, a prerequisite of Christian witness. In fact, everything possible needs to be done in order to understand, from words as from actions, that what the Church seeks, in following the truth, is not to make its own interest or particular vision prevail, but the true good of each and every person. Because God – and therefore the Church - loves all his creatures and wants them to live in fullness. And this should be proclaimed without fear. The Pope concludes: “The fear of God frees us from the fear of men. It liberates!”