Encounter between faith and reason enables us to find ourselves, says Pope
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - " I believe deeply that the encounter of faith and reason enables us to find ourselves": Benedict XVI returns to reaffirm one of his deepest convictions, repeating to the "Courtyard of the Gentiles "in Paris (pictured) the key concept of the “Regensburg Address”. Then it was an "academic" speech, last night he instead turned to young believers and unbelievers, brought together in front of the cathedral of Notre Dame.
The video message beamed into Paris yesterday evening is an invitation to frank and open dialogue between believers and nonbelievers, a dialogue without fear, because "the question of God is not a menace to society, it does not threaten a truly human life! " and because "religions have nothing to hear from a just secularity, one that is open and allows individuals to live in accordance with what they believe in their own consciences."
"If we are to build a world of liberty, equality and fraternity, then believers and non-believers must feel free to be just that, equal in their right to live as individuals and in community in accord with their convictions; and fraternal in their relations with one another".
Pope Benedict XVI recalled that the "Courtyard of the Gentiles”, was" the vast open space near the Temple of Jerusalem where all those who did not share the faith of Israel could approach the Temple and ask questions about religion". So today "you who are non-believers challenge believers in a particular way to live in a way consistent with the faith they profess and by your rejection of any distortion of religion which would make it unworthy of man".
And “you who are believers long to tell your friends that the treasure dwelling within you is meant to be shared, it raises questions, it calls for reflection”.
The “question of God”, in short, “must not be absent from the other great questions of our time”.
Thousands of people had gathered to hear to Listen to the Pope, above all young people. To them he said “Dear friends, you are challenged to build bridges between one another. Take advantage of this opportunity to discover, deep within your hearts and with serious arguments, the ways which lead to profound dialogue. You have so much to say to one another! Do not turn away from the challenges and issues before you!”.
“I believe deeply that the encounter of faith and reason enables us to find ourselves. But all too often reason falters in the face of self-interest and the lure of profit, and is forced to regard the latter as the ultimate criterion. Striving for truth is not easy. But each of us is called to make a courageous decision to seek the truth, precisely because there can be no shortcut to the happiness and beauty of a life of genuine fulfilment. Jesus says as much in the Gospel: "The truth will make you free".
“One of the reasons for this Court of the Gentiles is to encourage such feelings of fraternity, over and above our individual convictions yet not denying our differences. And on an even deeper level, to recognize that God alone, in Christ, grants us inner freedom and the possibility of truly encountering one another as brothers and sisters.”.
“Our first step, the first thing we can do together, is to respect, help and love each and every human being, because he or she is a creature of God and in some way the road that leads to God. As you carry on the experience of this evening, work to break down the barriers of fear of others, of strangers, of those who are different; this fear is often born of mutual ignorance, scepticism or indifference. Work to create bonds with other young people, without distinction and keeping in mind those who are poor or lonely, unemployed, ill or on the margins of society”.
“Dear young people, what you can share is not only your experience of life, but also your approach to prayer. Believers and non-believers, as you stand in this court of the Unknown, you are also invited to approach the sacred space, to pass through the magnificent portal of Notre Dame and to enter the cathedral for a moment of prayer. For some of you this will be a prayer to a God you already know by faith, but for others it may be a prayer to the Unknown God. Dear young friends who are non-believers, as you join those who pray in Notre Dame on this day of the Annunciation of the Lord, open your hearts to the sacred texts, let yourselves be challenged by the beauty of the music and, if you truly desire it, let your deepest feelings rise towards the Unknown God”.
.png)
