Benedict XVI reminds theologians to be humble in their search for truth

Vatican City, Dec 1, 2009 / 16:45 pm

During a Mass with members of the International Theological Commission, the Pope reflected on the virtues of both St. Damien of Molokai and St. Therese of Lisieux and also spoke of how humility leads theologians in their quest for truth.

In his homily, the Holy Father described the true theologian as someone who does not rely merely on the measure of his intelligence to fathom the mystery of God. He gave examples of “great specialists and... masters of the faith who have penetrated into the details ... of the history of salvation.” However, he said, “they were unable to see the mystery in itself, the central nucleus:  that Christ truly was the Son of God.”

Nevertheless, the history of the Church does include a great many men and women who were capable of reaching the truth and of humility. He mentioned the recently canonized St. Damien of Molokai, as well as St. Therese of Lisieux who were both “touched in the depths of their hearts.” These “little people who were also wise” are models from which to draw inspiration, the Holy Father said.

The Pope also recalled Saul, who became Paul after his conversion. Benedict XVI explained that Saul was “one of the wise who could not see,” until “he became blind and thus truly came to see.”

“The great man becomes a small man and so sees the ... wisdom of God.”  This wisdom, he continued “is greater than all human wisdom.”

All of this happened, however, not because of any action on Saul's part, but rather, because "following His Resurrection the Lord touched the heart of Saul on the road to Damascus,” the Pope concluded.