Benedict XVI was a great teacher of catechism

At the beginning of the general audience, Francis once again recalled the pope emeritus whose remains continue to receive the homage of the faithful in San Pedro. With a reflection on spiritual accompaniment, he concluded the catechetical cycle on the theme of discernment. “The one who accompanies does not replace the Lord, but walks alongside the accompanied”.

Vatican City () – Benedict XVI has been “a great teacher of catechism”, Pope Francis said this morning, recalling once again his predecessor in the Paul VI hall of the Vatican, at the beginning of the general audience on Wednesday, a moment of meeting that Joseph Ratzinger also valued very much.

“Before beginning this catechesis – said the pontiff – I would like us to join those who, next door, are paying homage to Benedict XVI and I direct my thoughts to him, who was a great teacher of catechism. His sharp and educated thought was not self-referential, but ecclesial, because he always wanted to accompany us to meet Jesus. Jesus, the Risen Crucified, the Living and the Lord, was the goal to which Pope Benedict led us, leading us by the hand. May it help us to rediscover in Christ the joy of believing and the hope of living”.

In today’s general audience, Pope Francis concluded the cycle of catechism dedicated to the theme of discernment, which began on August 31. In the final reflection, he focused on spiritual accompaniment, another of the precious helps to live this dimension of the Christian life. “It is important – Francis explained – to make ourselves known, without being afraid to share the most fragile aspects, in which we find ourselves most sensitive, weak or fearful of being judged. Woe to people who do not feel fragile: they are harsh, dictatorial. Instead, people who humbly acknowledge their own weaknesses are more understanding of others. Fragility is, in reality, our true wealth: we are rich in fragility, all of us; true wealth, which we must learn to respect and welcome, because when we offer it to God, it makes us capable of tenderness, mercy and love”.

The pontiff cited, for example, some clarifying and liberating conversations of Jesus recounted in the Gospels: with the Samaritan woman, with Zacchaeus, with the sinful woman, with Nicodemus, with the disciples of Emmaus. “Telling in front of another person what we have experienced or what we are looking for – Francisco commented – helps to bring clarity within ourselves”. It brings to light “false and poisonous thoughts, which confrontation with others helps to unmask, to feel loved and esteemed by the Lord for who we are, capable of doing good things for Him”. And “the one who accompanies -added the Pope – does not replace the Lord, does not do the work instead of the accompanied, but walks by his side, encourages him to read what moves in his heart, the place par excellence where the Lord speaks “.

Spiritual accompaniment is rooted in discovering that we are brothers, children of the same Father. “We do not go to the Lord alone. As in the Gospel story of the paralytic, we are often sustained and healed thanks to the faith of another person; other times, we are the ones who assume that commitment for another brother or sister”. Then pointing to the Virgin Mary as a “teacher of discernment” who “speaks little, listens a lot and keeps in her heart”, Francis invited us to let ourselves be guided in the art of discernment by the words of the Virgin in Cana: “Do what He tells you” (Jn 2:5). “If we trust her word – he concluded – we will play the game of life well and we will be able to help others”.

Lastly, in his greeting to the Italian-speaking pilgrims, the Pope recalled the imminent solemnity of the Epiphany: “Like the Magi – he said – know how to seek with an open mind Christ, light of the world and Savior of humanity”. He urged everyone once again to “persevere in affectionate closeness and solidarity with the martyred Ukrainian people who suffer so much, invoking for them the gift of peace.”