On the second anniversary of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s passing, Cardinal Kurt Koch delivered a homily during a Mass of suffrage at St. Peter’s Basilica, near Benedict’s tomb. Cardinal Koch, who serves as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, focused on the theological legacy of the late Pope, particularly his profound teaching that “God is eternal love.”
Benedict XVI, in his life and works, emphasized the centrality of love in Christianity. His first encyclical, “Deus Caritas Est” (God is Love), laid the foundation for understanding God’s nature not just as a being of power or judgment, but fundamentally as love. Cardinal Koch highlighted how Benedict taught that this love is not temporal but eternal, shaping our understanding of faith, hope, and charity.
The Mass served as a moment to reflect on how Benedict XVI’s teachings continue to resonate, offering comfort and direction in a world often marked by division and despair. Koch spoke of Benedict’s dedication to dialogue, unity, and the “hermeneutic of continuity,” encouraging Christians to see their faith journey as an ongoing encounter with the love of God.
This remembrance isn’t just about commemorating a leader of the Church but about revisiting the core of Christian doctrine through the lens of love as taught by Benedict. His theological contributions remind us that at the heart of the Christian message is the assurance that we are loved by God, an eternal love that transcends all human conditions and time.
As we honor his memory, let us take to heart the teachings of Benedict XVI, striving to live out this eternal love in our daily lives, fostering unity, understanding, and compassion within our communities.
May we continue to learn from and live out the legacy of Pope Benedict XVI, embracing the message that God is, indeed, eternal love.
