Text of Pope Benedict's Speech at Bethany Beyond the Jordan
Dear Brother Bishops, Dear friends,
It is with great spiritual joy that
I come to bless the foundation stones of two Catholic Churches to be built beside
the river Jordan, a place marked by many memorable events in biblical history. The
prophet Elijah the Tishbite, was from this area, not far north of Galaad. Near here,
facing Jericho, the waters of the Jordan opened before Elijah who was taken up by
the Lord in a chariot of fire (cf. 2 Kg 2:9-12). Here the Spirit of the Lord called
John the son of Zechariah to preach a conversion of hearts. John the Evangelist also
places in this area the meeting between the Baptist and Jesus, who at his baptism
was “anointed” by the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and proclaimed the beloved
Son of the Father (cf. Jn 1:28; Mk 1:9-11). I greet with joy His Beatitude Gregorios
III Laham, Patriarch of Antioch for the Greek Melkite Church. I also greet with affection
His Beatitude Archbishop Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. I extend my warm
best wishes to His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, to the Auxiliary Bishops present, particularly
to Archbishop Joseph Jules Zerey and the Most Reverend Salim Sayegh, whom I thank
for his kind words of welcome. I am pleased to greet all the Bishops, priests, religious
and faithful who accompany us today. Let us rejoice in the knowledge that the two
buildings, one Latin, the other Greek Melkite, will serve to build up, each according
to the traditions of its own community, the one family of God. The foundation
stone of a church is a symbol of Christ. The Church rests on Christ, is sustained
by him and cannot be separated from him. He is the one foundation of every Christian
community, the living stone, rejected by the builders but chosen and precious in God’s
sight as the cornerstone (cf. 1 Pet 2:4-5, 7). With him, we too are living stones
built into a spiritual house, a dwelling place for God (cf. Eph 2:20-22; 1 Pet 2:5).
Saint Augustine loved to refer to the mystery of the Church as the Christus totus,
the whole Christ, the full or complete Body of Christ, Head and members. This is
the reality of the Church; it is Christ and us, Christ with us. He is with us as
the vine is with its own branches (cf. Jn 15:1-8). The Church is in Christ a community
of new life, a dynamic reality of grace that flows from him. Through the Church Christ
purifies our hearts, enlightens our minds, unites us with the Father and, in the one
Spirit, moves us to a daily exercise of Christian love. We confess this joyful reality
as the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We enter the Church through baptism.
The memory of Christ’s own baptism is brought vividly before us in this place. Jesus
stood in line with sinners and accepted John’s baptism of penance as a prophetic sign
of his own passion, death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. Down through
the centuries, many pilgrims have come to the Jordan to seek purification, renew their
faith and draw closer to the Lord. Such was the pilgrim Egeria, who left a written
account of her visit during the late fourth century. The Sacrament of Baptism, drawing
its power from Christ’s death and resurrection, will be cherished especially by the
Christian communities that gather in the new church buildings. May the Jordan always
remind you that you have been washed in the waters of baptism and have become members
of the family of Jesus. Your lives, in obedience to his word, are being transformed
into his image and likeness. As you strive to be faithful to your baptismal commitment
of conversion, witness and mission, know that you are being strengthened by the gift
of the Holy Spirit. Dear brothers and sisters, may the prayerful contemplation
of these mysteries enrich you with spiritual joy and moral courage. With the Apostle
Paul, I encourage you to grow in the whole range of noble attitudes covered by the
blessed name of agape, Christian love (cf. 1 Cor 13:1-13). Promote dialogue and understanding
in civil society, especially when claiming your legitimate rights. In the Middle
East, marked by tragic suffering, by years of violence and unresolved tensions, Christians
are called to offer their contribution, inspired by the example of Jesus, of reconciliation
and peace through forgiveness and generosity. Continue being grateful to those who
lead you and serve you faithfully as ministers of Christ. You do well to accept their
guidance in faith knowing that, by receiving the apostolic teaching they transmit,
you welcome Christ and you welcome the One who sent him (cf. Mt 10:40). My dear
brothers and sisters, we now proceed to bless these two stones, the beginning of two
new sacred buildings. May the Lord sustain, strengthen and increase the communities
that will worship in them. And may he bless you all with his gift of peace. Amen!