“The hymn to Christ, or, more commonly, the ‘Christological hymn’ (Philippians 2:4-9) is a hymn in which all attention is focused on the ‘mind’ of Christ, that is, on his way of thinking and on his practical approach to life.” — Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, June 27, 2012.
“Human logic often seeks self-fulfillment in power, in domination, in forceful means. Man still wants to build the Tower of Babel with his own efforts, to reach God’s height by himself, to be like God.” — Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, June 27, 2012.
I. The fact that a quarter of the General Catechism is devoted to prayer has always impressed me. Likewise, this year’s papal audiences are devoted to prayer. Surely, some will insist, this is too much. Like the money spent on oils to anoint Christ’s feet, could they not have found a better use, say, in helping the poor? The basic Christian response to this oft-heard remark is this: It is highly unlikely that anyone will help someone else, or even his best self, if he does not pray. Why is this so?
