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The Yes of Jesus Christ: Spiritual Exercises in Faith, Hope, and Love
A must-read to understand Pope Benedict XVI’s view of the relationship between Christianity and the world. Secular thought has failed to answer the great questions of human existence. Pope Benedict XVI invites us to rediscover the Christ-centered basis for hope.
144 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1991
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About the author
Pope Benedict XVI
943 books938 followersOriginally
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...)
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...)
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 7, 2023
I have already read this book twice, and I am sure I shall read it again. It is an amazing experiential reflection on the theological virtues and the particular obstacles to living them in our time.
February 10, 2017
The Yes of Jesus Christ is a short book by Joseph Ratzinger that offers reflections on faith, hope, and love. In the first part, the book begins with the question, "Is faith an attitude worthy of a modern and mature human being?" The answer is an obvious yes, but Ratzinger goes on to explain that there are three elements of everyday faith. 1. Its always directed to someone who "knows" the matter at hand. 2. Trust of the majority who in their daily use of things are able to build less on the substantial knowledge that should lie behind such use. 3. A certain verification of knowledge in my everyday experience. The book then agnosticism asking if it is a viable solution (Clearly no), and pauses to reflect on true wisdom. Natural knowledge of God and supernatural faith is then examined.
The second part of the book takes us back to the 1970s to focus on "the optimism of the modern age and Christian hope." This leads to him listing three Biblical examples of the nature of Christian hope - the Prophet Jeremiah, the Revelation of John, and the Sermon on the Mount. Part Three wraps up focusing on both hope and love, because the two belong together. Therefore, he discusses the essential nature of love, love and the Cross, and agape love. The book then ends with two sermons, which tie together faith and love, the first one focusing on inheriting eternal life and the other on the feast of St. Henry. Like most of Ratzinger's works, this is not one you casually skim or breeze through. This is one that you take the time to read and digest, and then re-read it, because if you're like me you missed a bunch your first time through.
This book was provided to me for free by Crossroad Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
The second part of the book takes us back to the 1970s to focus on "the optimism of the modern age and Christian hope." This leads to him listing three Biblical examples of the nature of Christian hope - the Prophet Jeremiah, the Revelation of John, and the Sermon on the Mount. Part Three wraps up focusing on both hope and love, because the two belong together. Therefore, he discusses the essential nature of love, love and the Cross, and agape love. The book then ends with two sermons, which tie together faith and love, the first one focusing on inheriting eternal life and the other on the feast of St. Henry. Like most of Ratzinger's works, this is not one you casually skim or breeze through. This is one that you take the time to read and digest, and then re-read it, because if you're like me you missed a bunch your first time through.
This book was provided to me for free by Crossroad Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2024
Absolutely loved this read! Ratzinger is such a clear writer, intelligent theologian, and beautiful soul to read. I particularly loved his last chapter in which he talks about the threats to hope in our modern world. This was an extremely convicting boon for me personally. So glad we read this for class!
April 12, 2019
Short and insightful. Reflections on Faith, Hope, and love from a retreat he conducted and 2 short related sermons. Perhaps a bit more accessible than many of his works.
April 11, 2019
This is only 3 stars because it pales in comparison to so many other works by Joseph Ratzinger. Still some real nuggets.
June 19, 2020
In this small book of reflections, Benedict's writing, as in everything else I've read of his, is extremely approachable. A true master.
October 23, 2021
Really enjoyed this. Better than other titles by this author.
December 27, 2007
This series of talks delivered as a retreat in the eighties is magnificent. Ratzinger is always precise in his writing, but here he is at pains for clarity as well, as the profound truths he seeks to articulate are of monumental importance for the people of our age. With a discerning eye, he tackles the deep relevance of the often obscure theological virtues (basing much of his understanding of them on Pieper's landmark work) to the Church and to the world, making the connections necessary for us to apply them not only to daily living, but to see our daily living within the context of the human struggle for meaning and for transcendence. In particular, his distinction between egoism and self-love has been particularly profound for my own spiritual life and should find its way into one's reflection and prayer on a regular basis.
For related material on this subject, see the chapter on "Faith as Joy: 'Evangelium'" in Principles of Catholic Theology: Building Stones for a Fundamental Theology. It is for the most part an impenetrable work of interest only to theologians, but there are peaks of clarity interspersed throughout that are worthwhile when you find them.
For related material on this subject, see the chapter on "Faith as Joy: 'Evangelium'" in Principles of Catholic Theology: Building Stones for a Fundamental Theology. It is for the most part an impenetrable work of interest only to theologians, but there are peaks of clarity interspersed throughout that are worthwhile when you find them.
February 12, 2021
A friend recommended this book to me during a crisis of faith two years ago and I found it very helpful at that time. I recently re-read it and discovered that it contains much more than I remembered.
In three essays on faith, hope, and love, and in two additional sermons, Benedict XVI explores what faith looks like in the modern world and how it can contend with the challenges it faces today. For Christians, this is an edifying little book that will refresh faith and inspire a sense of hope. For non-Christians, I think this book contains excellent points for reflection and presents a winsome view of Christianity with rigorous philosophical discussion. I would recommend this to those interested in religion who are looking for an intellectual exploration of the topic.
In three essays on faith, hope, and love, and in two additional sermons, Benedict XVI explores what faith looks like in the modern world and how it can contend with the challenges it faces today. For Christians, this is an edifying little book that will refresh faith and inspire a sense of hope. For non-Christians, I think this book contains excellent points for reflection and presents a winsome view of Christianity with rigorous philosophical discussion. I would recommend this to those interested in religion who are looking for an intellectual exploration of the topic.
April 30, 2007
A very traditional but sound reflection on faith, hope, and love. Pope Benedict's analysis of the despair at the heart of modernity is right on target.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews