Continues Reflection on Origen of Alexandria
VATICAN CITY, MAY 2, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The privileged place to encounter God is by falling in love with him, specifically through prayerful reading of Scripture, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope said this today at the general audience in St. Peter's Square, attended by some 30,000 people. The Holy Father continued with his reflections on early figures of the Church, today focusing again on Origen of Alexandria.
"Origen," the Pontiff said, "constantly mixes his exegetic and theological works with experiences and suggestions relating to prayer. Despite the theological wealth found in his thought, his is never a purely academic treatment; it is always founded on the experience of prayer, on contact with God."
"He is convinced that the privileged path to knowing God is love and that one cannot give an authentic 'scientia Christi' without falling in love with him," he added.
Benedict XVI quoted Origen's works, citing one passage that shows "the highest mystical levels" of the Alexandrian's prayer.
"Often -- God is a witness to this -- I felt that the Bridegroom drew very near to me; afterward he would leave suddenly, and I could not find that which I searched for. Again I have the desire for his presence, and he returns, and when he appears, when I hold him in my hands, he leaves again and once he is gone I begin again to search for him," the Pope quoted.
Teaching on the Church
Benedict XVI explained that Origen taught about the priesthood of the laity.
"These conditions -- right conduct, but above all, the welcoming and study of the Word -- establish a genuine 'hierarchy of holiness' in the common priesthood of all Christians."
The Holy Father mentioned Origen's idea that the "path of perfection 'is for everyone,' so that 'the eyes of our heart' will contemplate wisdom and truth, which is Jesus Christ."
The Pontiff concluded by citing one of Origen's homilies: "When you turn your heart's gaze to contemplate wisdom and truth and the only Son of God, your eyes will see God. O happy gathering, that of whom Scripture speaks as having their eyes fixed on him! How I would like for this gathering to receive a similar witness, that the eyes of all, of the unbaptized and of the faithful, of women and men and young children, not the eyes of the body, but those of the soul, look at Jesus!"
Code: ZE07050205
Date: 2007-05-02