In other words, ‘bloom where you’re planted’

The Catholic Church in Germany is holding a celebration of being Catholic and German, and Pope Benedict sent them a message for the event.

Commenting on the theme chosen for the meeting – “He brought me out into a broad place” – the Pope writes that “no small number of people today … are afraid that the faith may limit their lives, that they may be constrained in the web of the Church’s commandments and teachings, and that they will no longer be free to move in the ‘broad space’ of modern life and thought”.

However, “only when our lives have reached the heart of God will they have found that ‘broad space’ for which we were created. A life without God does not become freer and broader. Human beings are destined for the infinite”, he explains.

(This is a good follow up to the post below.) 

“The heart that has opened itself to God”, writes Benedict XVI, has become “generous and broad in its turn”. Such a one does not need to seek happiness and success “or to give weight to the opinions of others”. He is “free and generous, open to the call of God” and “can give all of himself faithfully because he knows – wherever he goes – that he is safe in God’s hands”.

This is counter-cultural, of course, which is attracting huge numbers of people to Benedict’s messages.

The Holy Father particularly asks the lay faithful to ensure “that the future not be moulded exclusively by others; intervene with imagination and persuasive ability in the debates of the present time. … Using the Gospel as your parameter, participate actively in the political and social life of your country. As lay Catholics, dare to participate in creating the future, in unison with priests and bishops!”

This is the same encouragement he gave to Americans, starting with his first address on the South Lawn of the White House.

Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility. Americans know this from experience – almost every town in this country has its monuments honoring those who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom, both at home and abroad. The preservation of freedom calls for the cultivation of virtue, self-discipline, sacrifice for the common good and a sense of responsibility towards the less fortunate. It also demands the courage to engage in civic life and to bring one’s deepest beliefs and values to reasoned public debate.

This is a great message for both Memorial Day weekend, and election season.

Benedict also strongly encouraged the US bishops to engage social issues in public debate, with a nod to the American values of free speech and civic activism.

Any tendency to treat religion as a private matter must be resisted.

That’s certainly clear. So was the rest of his message.

While it is true that this country is marked by a genuinely religious spirit, the subtle influence of secularism can nevertheless color the way people allow their faith to influence their behavior. Is it consistent to profess our beliefs in church on Sunday, and then during the week to promote business practices or medical procedures contrary to those beliefs? Is it consistent for practicing Catholics to ignore or exploit the poor and the marginalized, to promote sexual behavior contrary to Catholic moral teaching, or to adopt positions that contradict the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death?

He reminded the bishops it’s their duty to raise these questions in public debate.

As preachers of the Gospel and leaders of the Catholic community, you are also called to participate in the exchange of ideas in the public square, helping to shape cultural attitudes. In a context where free speech is valued, and where vigorous and honest debate is encouraged, yours is a respected voice that has much to offer to the discussion of the pressing social and moral questions of the day. By ensuring that the Gospel is clearly heard, you not only form the people of your own community, but in view of the global reach of mass communication, you help to spread the message of Christian hope throughout the world.

Archbishop Charles Chaput is doing all of the above, in the public square that mass communications have expanded. That’s some broad place.