Speaking 38 minutes without a prepared text, Pope Benedict XVI gave priests of the Diocese of Rome a look not only at how he approaches Scripture, but also at his priorities and personality. Addressing the Rome priests as “my clergy,” the pope led them Feb. 23 in a reflection on faith, truth, hope and humility. Sitting behind a table and talking without a text — throwing in explanations of Greek words, Scriptural references and trends in modern theology — the pope used Ephesians 4:1-16 as a framework for reflecting on the problems facing the church and on the way priests should respond to them. Until last year, the pope’s annual Lenten meeting with the Rome priests was an opportunity for them to ask him questions. But in 2011, he chose to move to the format of “lectio divina” — reading a Scripture passage together and then going through it almost line by line to draw lessons and inspiration. The question-and-answer format was used frequently by Blessed John Paul II in meetings with priests and seminarians, giving him a chance to hear their problems and concerns. At the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Benedict kept up the tradition; but especially after the 2008 Synod of Bishops on the Bible, the pope began using the “lectio divina” format more often to let the Bible guide discussions with clerical groups. The pope’s talk to Rome priests and his off-the-cuff “lectio divina” sessions Feb. 15 with Rome seminarians and in September with seminarians in Germany included references to the Hebrew, Greek or Latin versions of the biblical passage, as well as the commentaries of ancient church fathers, especially St. Augustine.
VATICAN CITY (CNS)