Book Review

Pope offers compelling portrait of Jesus of Nazareth

Reviewed by Andrew Junker, The Catholic Sun
June 7, 2007

Pope Benedict XVI describes his new book, “Jesus of Nazareth,” as a “personal search ‘for the face of the Lord.’”

This description — the latter part of which comes from Psalm 27 — hints at the difficulties inherent in such a search. The Holy Father is interested in the person of Christ, His totality as true man and true God, and not just as a historical figure.

Neither is the pope interested merely in Christ’s message or sayings. Knowing someone’s face well implies deep interest in the individual himself. To uncover the Lord’s face, Pope Benedict has a wealth of tools at his disposal.

At any point in the book, he is at ease discussing peculiar diction in the Gospels, echoes of Old Testament themes, critical analyses by 19th century scholars, commentary by the early Christian Fathers or even a book on Jesus by a contemporary rabbi.

This expansive method — which former students of his say exemplifies his teaching style — affords readers a clear picture of the general discussion being had about Jesus.

This is not to say that Pope Benedict tries to paint a portrait of Christ by committee. Once he allows other voices to speak, he offers his own view, which is always lucid, interesting and invigorating.

Take his chapter on the beatitudes. Few passages in the Gospels are simultaneously better known and more mystifying. What exactly does, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” mean?

The pope begins by exploring how Old Testament figures understood poverty. He finds a critical moment in the Babylonian exile, which threw 90 percent of the Jews into poverty. After the exile, he writes, “Persian tax policy resulted in another situation of dramatic poverty.”

Because of this, “it was no longer possible to maintain the older vision according to which the righteous prosper and poverty is a consequence of a bad life,” the pope explains.

He concludes that this historical experience led Israel to realize “that its poverty is exactly what brings it close to God; it recognizes that the poor, in their humility, are the ones closest to God’s heart, whereas the opposite is true of the arrogant pride of the rich, who rely only on themselves.”

This poverty of spirit is what defined Mary and Joseph, Simeon and the Apostles, the Holy Father writes.

He makes sure to point out that material poverty per se is not a good, and can often harden hearts and bring about covetousness and envy. But neither is the poverty mentioned in the beatitudes merely a spiritual matter.

The truth lies in a more complicated, but ultimately more fulfilling, interconnectedness.

“The Sermon on the Mount is not a social program per se, to be sure,” the pope writes.

“But it is only when the great inspiration it gives us vitally influences our thought and our action, only when faith generates the strength of renunciation and responsibility for our neighbor and for the whole of society — only then can social justice grow, too.”

True concern for the poor can only come about through an interior change effected by the unique power of Christ’s words, and Christ Himself.

This is why Pope Benedict says, “The saints are the true interpreters of Holy Scripture,” and offers St. Francis of Assisi as an exemplar of living out this beatitude.

This kind of exegesis attempts to understand Christ on His own terms. It requires critical and historical analysis, to be sure, but the end result is always a vivifying force that compels Christians to enter more fully into the living Christ.

“Jesus of Nazareth” is like the best homily you’ve never heard. It engages the Gospels, offering insight into their difficulties and beauty. It does not shy away from popular distortions of Jesus, but confronts them calmly, explaining their deficiencies and offering a positive view.

Finally, the book encourages the reader not to view Scripture as merely historical documents. They are alive, he says, and Christ speaks in them to all generations.

Through this dual focus, Pope Benedict paints a portrait of Christ that is intriguing and irresistible. The reader closes the book wanting more.

Andrew Junker is a staff writer for The Catholic Sun. Comments are welcome. Send e-mails to letters@catholicsun.org.