Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Pope: Adam and Christ Took Contrasting Paths

Says Humility, Not Pride, Is Key to Happiness and Heaven

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 22, 2008 (Zenit.org).- To be happy and reach heaven, follow Christ's lead and not Adam's, says Benedict XVI.

In a lesson on Pauline Christology today during the general audience in St. Peter's Square, the Pope explained that Adam's pride ended in his self-destruction, whereas Christ took the opposite route -- that of humility -- and was "greatly exalted" by the Father.

The address was a continuation of a series of reflections the Holy Father has been giving on Paul the Apostle, within the context of the Church's celebration of the Pauline Jubilee Year.

He noted that St. Paul's preaching made clear that "the Resurrection is not an event in itself that is separated from the Death. The risen One is the same One who was crucified. The risen One also had his wounds. […] Paul had understood on the road to Damascus this identification of the risen One with Christ crucified: In that moment, it was revealed with clarity that the Crucified is the risen One and the risen One is the Crucified, who says to Paul, 'Why do you persecute me?'"

Paul's contemplation of this reality leads him to a deep understanding of Christ's "eternal existence in which he is one with the Father," the Pontiff said.
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 7:59 PM