Pope Benedict’s newest publication, Jesus of Nazareth, offers an interesting perspective of one man, one unique man and his personal view of the man Jesus. Written in at a depth many might expect, the first volume of what may be a several volumed presentation of Jesus Christ contains refreshing points of view. It reminds me of the readings I did during the days of my Jesuit novitiate.
In a chapter entitled, "An Initial Reflection on the Mystery of Jesus," we begin our journey by going backwards. Initiated while he was a Cardinal, the chapter starts by examining a promise contained in the writings of the Book of Deuteronomy that is different from all the other such promises in the OT. What we find in Deuteronomy is the promise not of royalty to come, "a new David, in other words," but the promise of a new Moses, a Moses who is a prophet. He will satisfy the innate desire of all human beings to what the future will be in their lives.
Pope Benedict notes that Deuteronomy’s conclusion provides us with a "surprising twist" that goes even beyond the limits of prophecy. "And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses whom the Lord knew face to face" (Deut 34:10). For the Pope these words signify that prophecy, as it was known, was not answering the needs. These words imply that something different and far greater was necessary: that there was a new Moses on the horizon for Israel as she continued her wait for genuine liberation. Deuteronomy was saying that a different, a more radical kind of exodus was needed. This was the call for a new Moses.
What the new Moses would have to be is one who speaks with God, face to face. He would be his friend. This direction in Deuteronomy makes clear that the old fortune-teller concept of prophecy was insufficient. The new Moses, the new kind of prophet would have to present to the people the face of God. This would be a presentation to the people what it was that God wanted of them. This new prophet would show the people the path of life that the Almighty God wanted them to follow.
In a chapter entitled, "An Initial Reflection on the Mystery of Jesus," we begin our journey by going backwards. Initiated while he was a Cardinal, the chapter starts by examining a promise contained in the writings of the Book of Deuteronomy that is different from all the other such promises in the OT. What we find in Deuteronomy is the promise not of royalty to come, "a new David, in other words," but the promise of a new Moses, a Moses who is a prophet. He will satisfy the innate desire of all human beings to what the future will be in their lives.
Pope Benedict notes that Deuteronomy’s conclusion provides us with a "surprising twist" that goes even beyond the limits of prophecy. "And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses whom the Lord knew face to face" (Deut 34:10). For the Pope these words signify that prophecy, as it was known, was not answering the needs. These words imply that something different and far greater was necessary: that there was a new Moses on the horizon for Israel as she continued her wait for genuine liberation. Deuteronomy was saying that a different, a more radical kind of exodus was needed. This was the call for a new Moses.
What the new Moses would have to be is one who speaks with God, face to face. He would be his friend. This direction in Deuteronomy makes clear that the old fortune-teller concept of prophecy was insufficient. The new Moses, the new kind of prophet would have to present to the people the face of God. This would be a presentation to the people what it was that God wanted of them. This new prophet would show the people the path of life that the Almighty God wanted them to follow.
