Behold the Pierced One

by Pope Benedict XVI

In this profound and illuminating work, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger turns the gaze of an accomplished theologian upon the crucified Savior. This synthetic and meditative work is theological without being abstract or dry, and spiritual without being sentimental. The pierced heart of Christ must be the heart of theology and Christian life as well. Proceeding from the prayerful dialogue between the Incarnate Son and his Eternal Father, Joseph Ratzinger shows how one can approach the mystery of the Heart of Christ only through the imitation of this prayer. To know and understand Jesus we must participate in his prayer. The prayer of Christ must be the interior life of all who are joined to him in his Body, the Church. Using the Old and New Testaments and the Church Fathers, Ratzinger shows that the ecclesial community (the Church) was born from the pierced Heart of Christ on the Cross.

Genres: Theology, Catholic, Religion, Christianity, Spirituality, Biblical, Christian

112 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1986

About the author

Originally Joseph Ratzinger , a noted conservative theologian before his election in 2005, Benedict XVI strove against the influence of secularism during his papacy to defend traditional Catholic teachings but since medieval times first resigned in 2013.

After Joseph Ratzinger served a long career as an academic and a professor at the University of Regensburg, Pope Paul VI appointed him as archbishop of Munich and Freising and cardinal in 1977. In 1981, he settled in Rome as prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, one most important office of the Roman curia. He also served as dean of the college of cardinals.

Benedict XVI reigned 265th in virtue of his office of bishop of Rome, the sovereign of the state of Vatican City and the head of the Church. A conclave named him on 19 April 2005; he celebrated his inaugural Mass on 24 April 2005 and took possession of his Lateran cathedral basilica of Saint John on 7 May 2005.

Benedict XVI succeeded Saint John Paul II, predecessor and his prolific writings on doctrine and values. Benedict XVI advocated a return to fundamental Christian values to counter the increase of many developed countries. Relativism denied objective truth and moral truths in particular; he viewed this central problem of the 21st century. With the importance of the Church, he understood redemptive love of God. He reaffirmed the "importance of prayer in the face of the activism" "of many Christians engaged in charitable work." Benedict also revived a number and elevated the Tridentine Mass to a more prominent position.

Benedict founded and patronized of the Ratzinger foundation, a charitable organization, which from the sale of books and essays makes money to fund scholarships and bursaries for students across the world.

Due to advanced age on 11 February 2013, Benedict announced in a speech in Latin and cited a "lack of strength of mind and body" before the cardinals. He effectively left on 28 February 2013.As emeritus, Benedict retained the style of His Holiness, and the title and continued to dress in the color of white. He moved into the newly renovated monastery of Mater Ecclesiae for his retirement. Pope Francis succeeded him on 13 March 2013.

(more info on Ratzinger Foundation: https://www.ewtn.com/library/Theology...)

Reviews

[Meredith Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My third annual lenten read of this book. I’m not really sure how the three main sections fit together, but I’m not worried about it. I consider it to be chiefly about the Easter theology of the Sacred Heart (“God is a sufferer because he is a lover”) sandwiched between two random sections of other cool musings that he just really wanted to share. Ratzinger can do whatever he wants and I will like it. I especially love the Triduum meditations at the end!! They are so beautiful. He advocates for laughter as a liturgical symbol and I am so on board.

[Father Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ratzinger's spiritual christology was fine Lenten fare this year. Some initial heavy lifting gives way to a more conversational tone, particularly in his thoughts on the importance of the devotion to the Sacred Heart and the Eucharist. The final sermons from the Triduum were the perfect transition to the Easter season.

In particular, readers that are aware of the current discussions regarding communion for divorced and remarried Catholics may be interested in Ratzinger's theological analysis of the question in the context of the meaning of "communio" (koinonia) in the New Testament. That no one has brought this little essay forward in the present debates is a real shame.

Many of the themes articulated here show up in other works, but I found the somewhat eclectic collection a delightful resource for theological disciples of Father Benedict.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pope Benedict XVI delivers 3 different papers and 3 different homilies on different aspects of Christ's nature. Brilliantly academic, theologically sound and supremely clear, "Behold the Pierced One" is an excellent read, with a personal highlight being his second paper on devotion to the Sacred Heart and on the encylical "Haurietis aquas".

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning consideration of Christology, communion, and community. I found Ratzinger’s writing surprisingly accessible and his narrative deeply personal. Reminded me a lot of JPII but with a certain sharpness to it that feels very stylistic to Ratzinger.

[John O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

One another potential entry-point into the works of Ratzinger's theology, for it gives lucid treatment of several Christological themes: the prime importance of Jesus' prayer to the Father for understanding his mission (and therefore ours), an overview of the historical context and biblical basis of the Sacred Heart, a Holy Thursday theology that tackles the notion of sacrifice. Every phrase of each essay in this book is worth pondering; the author, as is well known, manages to be efficient, incisive and profound at the same time. This makes reviewing the content difficult for such a pithy report, but suffice to say, I profited both theologically and spiritually from reading this. Heart and intellect are never far apart in the work of Joseph Ratzinger. Highly recommended.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first piece by then Josef Cardinal Raztzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, that I read and I was hooked from the start. The deep spirituality of his Christology and his sure footed theology is truly amazing. His sermons on the Passion and Resurrection could serve as a semester class. This book is one I take back often with me on retreat to reread.

[Conor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like any Ratzinger book, this has some great passages, but I have to say that this isn't up to his normal standards.

[Mauberley]

An eloquent and moving Christology based on traditional Catholic theology. Ratzinger's arguments are informed by deep learning and love. No one was more surprised by my reaction than myself.

[Richard Grebenc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pulled this book, long in my collection, off of the shelf because I was looking for a work with a Passion theme for my Lenten reading. As it turns out, only Part Two (the last 25 pages) really focuses on this. I found most of Part One ("The Theological Basis for a Spiritual Christology") much too dense and academic for spiritual reading, although the last part of the last section ("Eucharist, Christology, Ecclesiology: The Christological Core") tends to be more accessible and engaging. Nevertheless, this first section has a few outstanding quotes that stood out to me.

I had considered giving up on the book less than half-way through. Thank goodness I didn't. Part Two brought the rating up from a low three to a solid four. The three meditations contained herein (a sermon given on Holy Thursday, a reflection on the symbolism of Easter, and a homily for Easter) are worth the price of the book. Clear, thought-provoking, and with a solid biblical typological basis. Homilies we would be blessed to hear during the Paschal Triduum and Easter, but will have to settle for simply reading.

[Gab Nug · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful collection of (then) Ratzinger’s presentations and reflections on Christ. In many ways, Pope Benedict invited his reader into a deeper experience of communion with Christ through prayer. In the prayerful encounter of Christ’s Sacred Heart, which is the source of all Christology, the reader is brought face to face with the God who has loved him for all eternity and to the point of the Cross. From this communion with the God who is a sufferer because He is a lover, Pope Benedict explores how it relates to both the sacrament of the Eucharist and the Church.

This short yet profound collection has much to offer and I fear I worked my way through it too quickly. I will be sure to revisit these writings down the road with more time and a clearer mind to soak up as much I can.

[Joshua Ocon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucid and precise, as always, Pope Benedict XVI's provides the reader with a wealth of insights on a renewed look into contemporary Christology. The section concerned with his theological treatment of Haurietis Aquas and the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus sheds light on that which has been previously treated as a pietistic practice driven by emotions - we find that such is not only integral but more so necessary for us to better appreciate the mystery of the Incarnation. The three final sermons are bonus reflections that can be fittingly read during the Paschal Triduum.

[Emily Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dare not rate anything this holy man writes less than 5 stars. I'd have to reread to better absorb everything. Very beautiful and interesting concepts within, but very scholarly for sure. My plebian brain struggled to keep up sometimes. Or maybe it's just my postpartum braindead state...

[Brother Gregory Rice, SOLT · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is four stars scaled to the unbelievable quality of Ratzinger. Two of the essays are coming from an exegetical debate and, outside of the debate's heat, do not soar but rather are technical. The collection ends, however, with two homilies which are nothing short of rousing.

[Fmc2333336]

Finished reading this book by my spiritual and academic hero, Benedict XV1.
Christ descended into hell when he spoke with Caiaphas.

[Devon Smolak · Rating 5 out of 5]

So intellectual and well written. Made me rethink my previous disappointment in Pope Benedict. Read it!