Wednesday, July 06, 2005
I THINK BENEDICT "GETS IT"
An article at Chiesa describes the new catechism, a compendium of the CCC. In this new issue are several works of art which Pope Benedict has insisted appear in their exact place in each version of this catechism that is issued. He considers the images to be vital parts of what the book has to say to the faithful.
The occultists know well the impact of an image. They fully understand that the image can transmit concepts wholly formed that would be rejected if transmitted in words. They understand the difficulty one has in arguing with an image as opposed to presenting contrary arguments to words. They understand, as did the early Christians, that an image can hold a group of people together as the fish held the early Christians together.
We have been a faith of words in recent years. Now comes occultism offering us new insights into the meaning of man employing the use of images to convey philosophy, and Christians are intrigued. That philosophy opposes Catholicism specifically because the elimination of Christ is the objective. It signals to us by that opposition what must be its source.
What response to this bombardment of images can the Church make? More words? But western civ. is bored with words and wants mystery not pedagogy. Words will be ignored as the world and the Christians with it turn to this novelty of images. Pope Benedict is trying a different approach. He is turning to the riches of Christian art to mount a defense. He is taking out and dusting off our wealth of images to respond to the images of the opposition.
How can one look at something of beauty without recognizing the Creator who made it possible? God is ever present to those with eyes to see Him. He put beauty into the world and appreciation of it into man for the purpose of communication. He tells us about Himself when we look at the beauty of His creation.
We have a treasurehouse in Christian artistic expression that can hold its own in the battle for souls. We just need to look again at what is there and relearn to appreciate what God has given us.
Just maybe the New Age has met its equal in Benedict!
