Nunc Dimittis of Benedict XVI

 Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt

When His Holiness Benedict XVI renounced the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor to the Apostle Peter we saw in him the mind of Christ who “He emptied himself” (Phil 2: 7). He lives Gospel: “we are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty” (Lk 17:10), “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave” (Mt 20: 26, 27). In Benedict XVI’s words “a simple and humble worker in the Lord’s vineyard” we hear the echo of words of Mary, mother of God and mother of the Church “behold I am the handmaid of the Lord” (Lk 1:38). In Benedict’s act we see a continuity with John the Baptist: “He must increase; I must decrease” (Jn 3:30). His renunciation is a nunc dimittis. He teaches us to be detached and to be of pure heart; he teaches us how to face with serenity the difficult moments in life. Like Simeon bearing Christ in his arms and heart, His Holiness Benedict also prays to let him go in peace (Lk 2: 29).

As an authority of St. Augustine, His Holiness Benedict XVI has digested the dictum of St. Augustine: ‘Verbo crescente, verba deficiunt’- ‘When the Word of God increases, the words of men fail’. As a lover of the Word of God, he wants to sit by the Word without much talk. He is convinced that silence, contemplation and prayer are the best ways for the new evangelization. The words of Origen are very dear to His Holiness: ‘accendat ardor proximos’-‘Let the ardour ignite the neighbour’. By this renunciation, the Benedict XVI has actually ignited everybody. He showed himself to be closer to the inextinguishable fire. His Holiness Benedict XVI is a ‘Benedictine’. He chose the name Benedict to revive the importance of the holy monk’s rule of life centred on the principle that ‘Christo nihil omnino praeponere’- nothing must come before Christ. St Benedict is sometimes called the master of humility and his rule has become a classic on humility. His Holiness Benedict has followed his namesake in letter and spirit. It was in the light of the Benedictine spirit ‘Mens nostra concordat voci nostrae’ –‘let our minds coincide with our words’, that His Holiness Benedict has announced his renunciation and manifested his will.

As a theologian who finds the real spirit of liturgy His Holiness Benedict XVI lives the axiom ‘lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi’. He believes in the supremacy of prayer and for him prayer is an immersion in God. He is convinced that prayer governs the world. For Benedict XVI, to believe is to entrust oneself to God and to accept God totally. In its literal sense ‘to believe’ (credere = cor + dare) signifies ‘giving one’s heart’. The first of all commandments is “to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mk 12: 30). By this renunciation Benedict XVI becomes a witness to faith, a martyr.

It is definitely the case that Benedict XVI is fully aware that he is setting a new precedent. Rather than resorting to theories of intrigue we should let Benedict XVI speak for himself. His Holiness’ carefully drafted renunciation letter deserves a serious study. He expresses his current state of mind, his deep appreciation for his predecessor and his dream for the future bishop of Rome. As for himself, Benedict XVI is convinced of his inadequacy on health grounds to continue as the Successor of Peter. At the same time he acknowledges with humility that his immediate predecessor chose a more courageous path, that of suffering to continue his mission till his last breath. In the text announcing his renunciation His Holiness Benedict XVI himself gives us an indication regarding the profile of his successor: “However in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the barque of St. Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary”.

The renunciation of Benedict XVI is a commentary on the documents of Vatican II from ‘within’. Vatican II was held when there was a transition from the monarchical to the democratic type of administration in the secular fields. But the Church is more than a democratic society. It is a communion and it is governed in a collegial spirit. The decision to step down is a courageous, spiritual act. From his part it is an act of humility and conscience. But because of the communion aspect of the Church it is actually we who are humbled by this ecclesial and personal act. What is characteristic of this renunciation is the typical German ethos. It has acquired an event character.  He sees in it a beauty which we cannot see perhaps. He has a vision which we cannot fully understand now. Actually by his renunciation Benedict XVI teaches the world the spirituality and asceticism of the cross. Benedict XVI wants to remain in a new way near to the crucified Lord. He retreats from the crowd and turns versus crucem (towards the cross). It is a ‘death’ unto ‘glory’. What his predecessor did was equally courageous. They both arrived at different decisions through the same drive and commitment for the good of the Church. What is central to papacy is now increasingly clear. The Pope is servus servorum Dei.

By his renunciation Benedict XVI actually clings to the knees of Jesus as Peter did. The exit and the entry of a Pontiff are only two high points in the history of the Church. What is pivotal is the uninterrupted flow of tradition typified by the Roman Pontiff. By withdrawing from papacy His Holiness Benedict brought it into the limelight. Christianity became a hot topic in secular media. His act of renunciation thus became a mode of new evangelization.

His Holiness Benedict XVI’s decision should not weigh over his successors. They should not be forced to do what Benedict XVI did in full freedom.

By his act of renouncing, Benedict XVI is neither isolating himself from the world nor abandoning the church. Rather he wants to be united with us all through prayer. His Holiness Benedict enters into silence. Silence is the symbol of the world to come. His life in the monastery will be a continuous protection for the church and the world like a lightening arrester. Now the words of the Psalmist are fulfilled in the life of His Holiness Benedict XVI: “There is no word or sound; no voice is heard; yet their report goes forth all the earth, their message to the ends of the earth” (Ps 19: 4, 5).