FORT WAYNE, Indiana, JULY 25, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's addresses on the apostles underline the centrality of mission in the life of the Church, says a Catholic author.
Amy Welborn said this when speaking with ZENIT about a downloadable parish study guide that she wrote to accompany a compilation of the Pope's reflections on the apostles given at weekly general audiences.
The 2006-2007 audiences on the apostles have been published collectively in a single volume, titled "The Apostles: The Origin of the Church and Their Co-workers," to be published July 30 by Our Sunday Visitor. The free study guide accompanies the online order format of the book.
"I read the Pope's general audience talks as he gave them, and was, as I always am, struck by the depth and lucidity of his teaching," Welborn said. "The Pope's talks were brief, but full of good information, and pastorally sensitive as he invited his listeners to be inspired by the example of each apostle and to find comfort in the Church of the apostles."
Model catechesis
Welborn continued: "In 'The Apostles,' Benedict XVI provides model catechesis -- superb content, with conclusions that inevitably confront us with the necessity of understanding how this truth can live within us, with all of our own questions, doubts, hopes and fears.
"In addition, the Pope continually draws our attention to the personality of each of the apostles, to the extent that we can know them from the evidence left to us.
"Their humanity, their flaws, their openness to Jesus, commitment to him and their courage, give us reason for hope. The Pope continually invites us to consider how we live out our discipleship today, and how the apostles can inspire us in that regard."
Religious education
Welborn said she hopes the study and discussion guide will encourage parishes to consider bringing the Pope's teaching to adults in their religious education programs.
"What the Pope emphasizes," she explained, "and what I hope readers will take away from both his book and our study guide, is the centrality of mission to the life of the Church. Too often, especially in the West, we tend to get settled in our spiritual lives and absorbed in intra-Church problems and issues.
"As I read through 'The Apostles' and prepared the study guide, I was continually reminded of the reason Jesus chose the apostles, which was not to sit around in a parish hall in meeting after meeting or settling in a closed group of the like-minded -- but to go out, filled with the Spirit that gives us courage and joy, to spread the good news, no matter what price we are asked to pay."
ZE07072504 - 2007-07-25