catholicsphere

With his first encyclical (which I am still trying to digest fully, and which will probably take several more days), Pope Benedict spoke to the whole world, not just to the faithful, not even just to Christians. And, he spoke — as I’ve found he does in all his writings — very clearly and precisely, laying the groundwork appropriately before moving on. He called on Plato and Aristotle and Nietzsche in setting up for the points he wanted to make.

It is a reflection of what most ordinary folks observe in the world today, but do not necessarily have a strong grasp on — especially what seems so elusive; namely that eros or erotic love finds it greatest joy when it is coupled with agape or sacrificial/divine love.

It is perfect for the times in which we are living, to explain God’s love for us, for a world that seems very much to be hurting becuase it lacks an understanding of love — even if it does not know it. It seems fitting becuase understanding love and its true nature are fundamental to understanding God, all that He has done and all that He will do in the history of the world. The Holy Father hits upon this right away in the introduction, section 1, paragraph 3, when he says “In a world where the name of God is sometimes associate with vengeance or even a duty of hatred and violence, this message is both timely and significant“. With both the major and “everyday” tragedies that afflict up, it becomes easy to blame God.

For those that think that, Pope Benedict does not simply point to New Testament examples, but draws also from the Old Testament, to demonstrate that “God is love”. This may surprise some, particularly those who believe that the “God of the Old Testament” is a God of vengeance, different from the “God of the New Testament” Who is just and merciful.

Mainly, the first chapter of the letter (which is broken into 2 chapeters) seeks to set right the relationship between erotic love and divine/sacrificial love, and demonstrate how God is the source and perfect example of that relationship. Those who embrace God’s love will love truly and maturely … not seeking to merely receive love, but to give it freely — no matter whether it is returned.

And, finally, the Pope rejects the notion of pure erotic love as an immature form of love that is self-seeking. That insufficient expression of love objectifies the person and robs him/her of dignity. He says that if erotic love does not move toward sacrifical love, it remains immature and “becomes impoverished and even loses its own nature” — such that sex becomes merely a “biological exercise”.

We must draw from God in order to be able to love properly. Without God, one may not love as he ought, and happiness will be out of reach, and eventually be lost forever.

There is alot to weigh here, and what I’ve said thus far is just the tip of the iceberg, really only the focus of the first part of the letter. Check back for a part 2/followup on this important and tone-setting letter.