Jesus of Nazareth

Our current book club selection is Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI and this book is clear evidence that we are again blessed to be lead by one of the smartest people to walk this earth. Every page is rich in detail as the Pope brings his full knowledge of Tradition and the Magisterium to help illume scripture. As an example when Moses meets God in the burning bush God’s answer to Moses’ question “Who are you” is I am. This has always struck me as peculiar - I am - what? God however as the author of life and the creator of all is the one who names things right? He does allow Adam to name some animals and thereby Adam takes “responsibility” for them but He describes Himself as I am – the god of your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, etc. Pope Benedict XVI describes this interplay between name and non-name in his book as God establishing a relationship between Himself and humanity. He makes Himself available to be called upon by putting Himself in a relationship and giving us the means to call Him – by a name. He actually comes down to us in a relationship and thereby becomes vulnerable and assumes the risks inherent in any relationship. Pope Benedict notes that the process brought to completion by the Incarnation began with the giving of the divine name. And he asks how do we treat this Name?