Called to Communion: Understanding the Church Today

The first three chapters are addressed to bishops. It occurred to me that this might not be of much interest to layperson such as myself. But I read on, though a bit hesitantly, with the hope that eventually my interest might pick up. It did in spots.As I was struggling through the first few chapters of this book I made the decision not to write a review. I would just complete the book. At this point it never caught my interest. It was not the Ratzinger I knew and the writhing was not what I expected. But nevertheless I could not write him off. Then I realized that because he was addressing a specific audience of which I was not a part, there were gaps and nuances I could not overcome. The usual explanations and analysis were not there. It was more casual and elliptical. It was as if he was talking to his peers in coded language I could not penetrate. Hence the struggle. It was then that I realized I had to change my approach to reading this book. I recognized that the author’s target audiences were bishops and priests. I am neither of these. However these prelates are intrinsically related to my faith and are collectively relevant as the arbiter and mediator of my faith; it is through them that I receive the content of and guidance in the interpretation of my faith. It is in this context that what Ratzinger says to them is indirectly, but fundamentally, relevant to me. In understanding the role and responsibilities of the clergy I come to know and understand what it is that they arbitrate and mediate. In other words, the content of my faith and how I should interpret this content.So, I went back to the beginning and read to the end with a new mind-set. This made a huge difference. The text was easily intelligible and more importantly my interest was captured. I now encountered the Ratzinger I knew. He led me to take a second look at the structure of the Church, the role of the pope, bishops and priests. I came to understand the Church in a new light:that it was important to accept its divine origins as opposed to one conforming to our desires. Importantly he throws new light, at least for me, on the leadership of Peter. He does this with a convincingly thorough exegesis of Jesus’ statement to Peter, “upon this rock”. His reference to Abraham as the first “rock” and to Rabbinical texts bring clarity and certainty to what Jesus meant.This allusion to “rock”, and similarly the parallel between Abraham and Peter, presages the intrinsic structure of the church and inevitably its mission as exemplified in and through the sacraments. In both cases of Abraham and Peter, as indicated by Ratzinger, the metaphor “rock” describes qualities that are not present in these two pillars of faith. The implication is that only by the grace of God are they able to fulfill their respective roles, despite their flaws and fragilities. Hence we arrive at an authentic meaning of sacrament:”I give what I myself cannot give; I do something that is not my work...”. With this insight Ratzinger gives me a new perspective on sacraments. I now see the clergy as a sign and a reminder that my actions as a Christian can only happen when Christ acts through me. Ratzinger confirms this with a quote from John 15:5:“Without me you can do nothing”Ratzinger enables me to see that in the priest, i.e. his sacramental role, I have an example of how to interact with others. As he quotes in first Peter 5:1-4, I must care for others not as a means to control them or for personal gain, but out of love that acts freely in the way God acts toward us. It is in this context that Ratzinger establishes the rationale behind Apostolic Succession. The work of the clergy is a “continuation of the apostle’s mission to feed God’s flock”. This has implications for me in the way I treat others. It reinforces God’s mandate to humanity in Genesis chapter one, along with the teachings of Our Lord.A remarkable insight I got from this book, though earth shattering as much as it is deeply profound that it must not be dismissed, but humbly accepted for its irrefutable wisdom, is from his statement:”the Church is not a democracy”. Ratzinger rings with wisdom and honesty. He understands that in this era far beyond the Enlightenment, this truth is grossly unpalatable. He is astute enough not to ram it down our throats. Very quietly and ever so gently he leads us from “enlightenment” thinking and influence to a position that invites us to accept a vision of a reformed Church that is not “self-made” but is a “liberating” experience that allows “the pure light...from above” and brings to us “pure freedom” that this age so much craves. To buttress his point Ratzinger deftly uses the analogy of an artist, of the ilk of Michelangelo, who merely uncovers the image in a stone—an image that was there before he began to sculpture. In other words, Ratzinger is presenting to us a picture of a reformed Church. In this picture the Church exists to uncover the divine image and thereby prevent us from becoming enslaved to our own image and desires, “the real slavery” that is an “imprisonment...of our own wishes.”Another significant insight I got from Ratzinger is one that addresses an issue that has bothered me for some time. It is the role of Religion in society. Two related questions I have struggled with are:how should we interpret the separation of Religion and the State? Should our religious beliefs influence our participation in the body politics? Ratzinger gives me the answers. In accord with Vatican II Ratzinger reiterated that the autonomy of the State must be respected. But he also acknowledges that this autonomy is not absolute. Hence, for both questions Ratzinger reaches back to St. Augustine who insinuated that when the State engages in unethical behavior Christians have an obligation to ensure that “the voice of Creation” is heard.Every time I read Ratzinger my love for and my faith in the Church is strengthened. No matter how dense he might become at times it is always worth the while to stick with him like a Jacob grappling with the Angel until his meaning is clear. In the early stages of the book I struggled to follow his narrative. The more I did so the more I became fascinated with his perspective. I love his insights and the way he expresses them. Reading this short book was truly an enriching experience for me. I am eager to start reading another book of his that I have lined up to read.

Called to Communion: Understanding the Church Today starts off with three theology lectures for a course on universal vs. particular Churches for bishops in Brazil, followed by an address to the Synod of Bishops on the priesthood, a talk on ecclesial reform to conclude an annual meeting in Rimini, and finally a homily preached at a seminary in Philadelphia which is added to "clarify once more the spiritual orientation of the whole book" (from the Foreword). All of these events took place in 1990, but the material is as relevant, if not more so, today. The stated goal in the Foreword of offering "a sort of primer of Catholic ecclesiology" to "bring clarity and help in the crisis of ecclesial consciousness" is fulfilled in spades. The nature of the book and the audiences it was directed toward originally does not allow Cardinal Ratzinger to go into the level of detail I would have like to have seen, but nevertheless he is quite successful at giving the reader a good overview of Catholic ecclesiology, particularly as it relates to the roles of bishops, priests, and the nature of true reform in the Church. In the first chapter he establishes the origin of the Church in Jesus, of course, by using not only Gospel testimony, but also Paul's doctrine of the Church as the Body of Christ, and the beginnings of Church functioning in the Acts of the Apostles. Chapter Two deals with Petrine primacy and the unity of the Church. The author acknowledges the ecumenical difficulty of this question, but goes on to solidly show the status of Peter as "Rock", as head of the Twelve, and as keeper of the "keys" which he deals with at the greatest length of the three points. Succession is one of the areas that would have been worth exploring more, but his appeal to early Christian writers Irenaeus and Eusebius is effective, and he hits a home run with this observation: "[I]t is impossible to avoid the idea of succession once the word is transmitted in Scripture is considered to be a sphere open to the future" (p. 67). The next chapter gets to the heart of the theology lectures: the universal and particular Churches and the role of the bishop. Unsurprisingly, the Eucharist is seen as the heart of ecclesiology - it is the unifying factor. Orthodox and Protestant views are contrasted with each other and the Catholic approach, and the conclusion is reached that "communio is catholic, or it simply doesn't exist at all" (p. 82). The bishopric is traced back to Peter, James, and Paul, and then as now, the bishop is called to be a missionary of the whole Church, not just his local Church, and he must be ready to suffer as his Lord did. The essence of the priesthood is the topic of the fourth chapter. This is a very full chapter. He bemoans the fact that a new look back tried to justify the priesthood by looking at its biblical roots and deeming it a functional role only. He provocatively states that this view was reached by Reformation-era arguments and exegesis largely nourished by Reformation presuppositions. But while Cardinal Ratzinger recognized that the ministries seemed ill-defined in the early Church, he sees the foundation of ministerial office in apostleship: Jesus sent the apostles and gave them everything they had - he conferred the mission and himself as mission. Apostolic succession is not treated in depth, but he uses solid passages from Acts, Peter, and Corinthians to stress the sacramental nature of bishops and priests. He closes the chapter with some deeply moving reflections of a more spiritual nature (a must read for all priests). The last chapter deals with renewal of the Church, contrasting futile and authentic reform. It is the best chapter in the book and one I'd like to get in the hands of every Catholic or anyone who wants to understand the pope's authentic view of reform and renewal. A democratic Church that so many long for will never work: "A church based on human resolutions becomes a merely human church. It is reduced to the level of the makeable, of the obvious, of opinion. Opinions replace faith. And in fact, in the self-made formulas of faith with which I am acquainted, the meaning of the words `I believe' never signifies anything beyond `we opine'" (pp. 139-140). True reform is based on a full faith itself in the freedom that the Lord offers which is our true freedom. Reform begins with each person through personal morality (liberation from sin, not guilt), forgiveness (imaging Jesus), and expiation (purification through pain and suffering in communion with Christ). The epilogue continues the theme of the last chapter, emphasizing the dangers of "factional strife" within the Church, instead calling us to be "coworkers of God" (it is clear where he came up with his episcopal motto "Fellow worker in the truth"). This book is relatively short at 165 pages but very rich. It is worth getting for everyone who wants to understand the authentic mind of the Church as enunciated by the current pontiff.

Book came in good quality

In this short book, Cardinal Ratzinger writes paints several images as to what roles different people withing the Church must play, for instance the episcopate, the laity and clergy. He also focuses on the Eucharist and it's importance within the faith.He analyzes where things have gone wrong and what must be done to correct these deviations. Most often if not always the solution is to reach back to Christ and recapture His intention for what His Church should be.In particular I found useful the chapter where he elucidates the primacy of Peter not because he was the best and brightest of the apostles, but because he was the one chosen by Jesus for that role.Ratzinger's prose is beautiful, even in translation. At time's it can be a bit dense, but it's always engaging, and well worth reading with a pen in your hand.I especailly recommend this book to the "but why can't we" Catholics out there. He answers pretty much every major objection people raise as to why the Church is moving and continues to move in a certain direction and why certain shifts can't happen.

A pretty good introduction to ecclesiology, Roman Catholic style. Say what you will about Benedict XVI - he is a very bright, learned man who writes well. Since most of this book is based on talks he has given, it's a bit easier (a bit, mind you) for us non-theology types to read and understand; plus it's not too long. Our diaconate class was assigned this book as an introduction to ecclesiology, and I really enjoyed it.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is a genius.Some portions were a bit dry for me, but as I reread and let the words sink in, I found many treasures. I highlighted a lot of passages, and will likely refer to this in the future.

A little repetitive on some things. Not the easy read of other books by this author