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Benedict XVI • Prayer • Activities • Encyclical Article 1 • Encyclical Article 2
The Pope’s First Encyclical:
God’s Lavish Love for Us and the Love and Charity We Owe to One Another
An encyclical is a pastoral letter written by the pope and sent to the whole world. It is a document that conveys timely teaching on matters of faith and morals. Encyclicals express the mind of the pope on matters of great concern. They are intended to inform the faithful. Encyclicals demand assent and respect because they represent the supreme and universal teaching mission of the pope under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The Pope’s First Encyclical
Pope Benedict XVI’s first encyclical “God is Love” (Deus Caritas Est) was issued on January 25. It includes about 16,000 words, translated in seven languages. Most of the encyclical was written by the pope during his stay at the papal summer residence. The pope signed the document on Christmas Day. The overall theme of encyclical is the transforming love which God lavishes upon us and which we in return must share with others. The encyclical is sure to be a landmark document that underscores the scope and tone of Benedict’s entire papacy.
Love Expresses the Heart of Christian Faith
The encyclical begins by reflecting on the words of 1 John 4:16, “God is love and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” However, in today’s world the word “love” is frequently misused. The pope concentrates much of the first half of the encyclical on the relationship between “eros” and “agape.” He defines eros as worldly love. It can be reduced to pure sex and become a commodity. Agape is love grounded in and shaped by faith. It is important that the different aspect of eros and agape find a proper unity in the one reality of love. The pope explains that, “man is truly himself when his body and soul are intimately united; the challenge of eros can be said to be truly met when this unification is achieved.” Authentic love is grounded in and shaped by faith. It mirrors God’s love for mankind.
Charity Is an Extension of God’s Love for Humanity
The second part of the encyclical focuses on charity. Indeed, all Catholics have an obligation to practice the virtue of charity, which is also a fundamental facet of the Church. The role of the Church is to make clear standards for justice and inspire the energy of the world to make the sacrifices that justice requires. The Church must always help the needy wherever they are found. Charitable activity is not a means of imposing the Church’s faith on others. Christians know when it is time to let love and charity speak alone. In the final paragraph of the encyclical, the pope stresses that prayer must not be forgotten as the Church tries to alleviate the immense needs around the world. “People who pray are not wasting their time, even though the situation appears desperate and seems to call for action alone. Piety does not undermine the struggle against the poverty of our neighbors, however extreme.”
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
As we read and study the pope’s encyclical on love and charity, we think back to the basic lessons of the Parable of the Good Samaritan. When Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan (see Luke 10:30-37), he is telling us that we need to see the needs of our neighbor with no assumptions and no prejudices. In fact, the Good Samaritan, a hated foreigner and heretic, is the hero in this story. Unlike the priest and the Levite who walk away from a neighbor in need rather than help him, the Good Samaritan stops to save the man’s life and provide for his future care. In fact, Christians have an obligation to serve their neighbor with justice and compassion. The message of the pope’s first encyclical is that charity is an extension of God’s love. This message is very similar to the message of the Good Samaritan: To whom can I be a good neighbor?
What Difference Does This Make in My Life?
1. What are some of the ways that the word “love” is frequently misunderstood in today’s world?
2. What are some examples of what our homes/schools/ churches are doing so we have a better understanding of what the word “love” really means?
3. What is the message of the pope’s new encyclical? How can you show in your daily actions that charity is an extension of God’s love?
4. Read and discuss Luke 10:30-37. What is the message of the Parable of the Good Samaritan? What is the question the young man posed to Jesus? How would you respond to the young man’s question?
5. What is an encyclical? Why do they demand respect by the faithful?
6. What is the meaning of these ideas that the pope emphasizes throughout his first encyclical?
• God is the absolute and ultimate source of all being.
• Authentic love is grounded in and shaped by faith.
• Works of charity are fueled by God’s love and people’s love for their neighbor.
• Prayer should not be forgotten as the Church tries to alleviate the immense needs around the world.
7. I Corinthians 12:31 tells us that love is the better way to live. What is the connection between how we practice love and charity and how we implement the Church’s Social Teaching? Background: Toward the end of the encyclical the pope also explains that the role of the Church is to make clear standards for justice and awaken the spiritual energy of the world to make the sacrifices that justice requires. In a nutshell, the basic themes of Catholic social teaching are about living the values of the Gospel and facing the complex issues of modern life. These seven basic themes are:
• The Life and Dignity of the Human Person
• The Call to Family, Community, and Participation
• The Right and Responsibilities of the Human Person
• The Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
• The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
• The Solidarity of the Human Family
• The Care for God’s Creation
8. Closing prayer. O my God, I love you above all things, with my whole heart and soul because you are all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of you. I forgive all who have injured me and I ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen.
Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
Theme: The Gift of Prayer
Kindergarten, chapter 12
Grade 1, chapter 23
Grade 2, chapter 24
Grade 3, chapter 23
Grade 4, chapter 24
Grade 5, chapter 24
Grade 6, chapter 25
Junior High, Mystery of God, chapter 12
Junior High, Church and Sacraments, chapter 4
Junior High, Morality: Life in Christ, chapter 12
Junior High, Jesus in the New Testament, chapter 1
Connecting to Faith First® Original Edition
Theme: The Gift of Prayer
Kindergarten, chapter 12
Grade 1, chapter 23
Grade 2, chapter 24
Grade 3, chapter 23
Grade 4, chapter 24
Grade 5, chapter 24
Grade 6, chapter 25
Junior High: Liturgy and Morality, chapter 24
Junior High: Creed and Prayer, chapter 12
