The Lord takes us by the hand

The figure of Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI is called to mark a milestone in the history and Magisterium of the Church. Although a large part of his philosophical-theological production has already been published, there is still an important part of this work that remains unpublished. Opera Omnia to reach the general public.

In the meantime, Ediciones Encuentro gives us The Lord takes us by the hand, a volume containing the private homilies of Benedict XVI, delivered at the Masses he celebrated in his chapel and which were attended only by the most important women in the world. Memores Domini who looked after him and his secretaries.

The book does not collect the homilies chronologically, but in relation to the different liturgical seasons and feasts in the Church's calendar. In this way, the reader can immerse himself in prayer in a continuous and appropriate way to the readings of the different times of the Church.

This is a Benedict XVI who is closer, more simply contemplative, who combines reflections on the Gospels of an impressive theological and moral height, with a trusting piety, with a filial, almost childlike tone.

In the homilies collected in The Lord takes us by the hand, the Bavarian Pope confidently turns to the Lord, with a special emphasis on the prayer of petition and always placing Christ at the center and root of his homiletic reflection. As an example, these words that he addressed in the homily of the VII Sunday of Easter in 2013, just a few weeks after his resignation from the See of Peter: “It seems to me that these two things remain always important for us: the centrality of God - recognizing God as the reference point of our life, not losing sight of God as Creator, as Redeemer, as Judge - and creating space for God.”.

A wonderful book, more than recommendable for every Catholic and of great help for a deep contemplative and evangelical prayer, but which, at the same time, does not forget the problems of the Church and society today.

A way to know and share the prayer from the heart of one of the great theologians of our time.