Pope: St Paul Teaches Us to Know Christ

( 05 Nov 08 - RV) Christianity is not an easy path to follow, but a demanding climb illuminated by the light of Christ and his great hope.

Continuing his series of lessons on St Paul this Wednesday, Pope Benedict dedicated his audience to the Saint’s proclamation of Christ’s Resurrection:

“In preaching Jesus Christ risen from the dead, Paul was concerned to “hand on” what he himself had “received” from the Apostles (cf. 1 Cor 15:3). He proclaims not only the fact of the resurrection, but its vital significance: in Christ, who died and rose for us, we have been saved, made righteous in the sight of God. The resurrection reveals Jesus’ true identity as the eternal Son of God and Lord of the living and the dead”.

Pope Benedict underlined that the theology of the cross is not mere theory but reality, the reality of Christian life:

“We, for our part, are called to become fully configured to him in the mystery of his passover from death to life. Our present sufferings thus become a sharing in Christ’s own suffering and death, while the hope of the resurrection even now draws us toward the fullness of life with all the saints in his Kingdom. Salvation, Paul tells us, comes from confessing with our lips that Jesus is Lord, and believing in our hearts that God raised him from the dead (cf. Rom 10:9). With the Apostle, then, let us strive ever more fully, in faith and hope, “to know Jesus Christ and the power of his resurrection” (cf. Phil 3:10).

From St Paul’s preaching, concluded Pope Benedict, emerges first and foremost the resurrection, without which Christian life would be simply absurd because we are justified by Christ’s death and resurrection”.

Following his catechesis Pope Benedict greeted pilgrims in several languages, before bestowing on them his apostolic blessing.

I am pleased to welcome all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at today’s Audience. In a particular way I greet the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums from Florida. I also extend a warm welcome to the group from the Bunri Sato Educational Institute in Saitama, Japan. I greet especially the groups from England, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Cyprus, the Philippines and the United States. Upon all of you and your families I cordially invoke God’s abundant blessings of joy and peace.