World Youth Day Madrid, Pope Moved to Tears, Emotions, and Me

I'm wrapping up my posting about World Youth Day, Madrid: although I may come back to some of people and events mentioned in the news.

Like this, from yesterday's news:

"Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela of Madrid, Spain recalled that Pope Benedict was 'emotionally moved many times, almost to tears,' during World Youth Day 2011.

"The cardinal said Benedict XVI was especially touched by the theatrical presentation of the Stations of the Cross, which he had initially not planned to attend....

"...The cardinal also encouraged Catholics to re-read the Pope's numerous speeches, which he called a treasure trove of 'preaching, proclamation of the word and explanations to young people' based on the gospels and on the World Youth Day theme. This year's theme was, 'Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith,' taken from St. Paul's letter to the Colossians...."

Reading, or re-reading, the Pope's speeches is a whole lot easier these days. I suppose a person could still subscribe to magazines that cover the Pope's statements, and buy books of the collected speeches.

But it's a lot easier, faster, and - this is important for me - less expensive to go to the Vatican's website (www.vatican.va), and read the speeches, homilies, encyclicals, and whatnot, online.

Pope Benedict XVI's homepage is titled, reasonably enough, "Benedict XVI." (www.vatican.va/phome_en.htm)

Emotions: Important, but Not the Whole Picture

Emotions "are natural components of the human psyche." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1764) By themselves, they're not good: and they're not evil, either. What matters is what we decide to do with them. (Catechism, 1767)

There's quite a lot more about emotions, or "passions," as the Catechism calls them. I think a good place to start is Catechism, 1762-1770.

Where was I?

Emotions. They're part of us. They aren't good or bad by themselves: it's what we decide to do with them that makes a difference.

Right.

Emotions, Decisions, and the Pope

I'm glad to read that the Pope was moved by part of Youth Day Madrid: for his sake, and for the inspiration it may give to folks who attended.

That said, I'm also not all that surprised. The Stations of the Cross, parts of the various do-it-yourself meditations that I've read and followed over the years, get me weeping now and then. That's helped me remember parts of my Lord's suffering and passion: and given me something to think about.

But I don't think I'm 'being religious' when I go through a few facial tissues during Stations of the Cross; and 'not being religious' when I'm studiously tracking down some dry item in the Pentateuch. Emotional and intellectual experiences are both part of my faith - and I trust my reason more than my emotions.

It's getting late, and I've written about emotions and getting a grip before.

Related posts:

• Emotions
  • "A Nerdy Interest in God and his Creation?"
    (August 12, 2011)
  • "Becoming Catholic for Reasons, Leaving Because of Feelings"
    (August 5, 2010)
  • "Really 'Spiritual' Experiences: Those are Okay"
    (April 22, 2010)
  • "Dying to Ourselves, Dying to Self: Not Exactly a Feel-Good Religion?"
    (March 3, 2009)
  • "Emotions, the Frontal Cortex, The War on Terror, Anarchists, and the Illuminati"
    Another War-on-Terror Blog (December 23, 2008)
• Somewhat related to World Youth Day Madrid
  • "World Youth Day Madrid, and Living in an Imperfect World"
    (August 19, 2011)
  • "World Youth Day Madrid: Shocking Extravagance; or Something Else"
    (August 17, 2011)
  • "Religious Freedom, a Spanish Archbishop, and Pew Research"
    (August 14, 2011)
  • "Studying the Bible: Carefully"
    (November 16, 2010)
  • "Pope Benedict XVI's Face on 50-Cent Euro"
    (July 24, 2010)

In the news:

• "Pope 'almost moved to tears' during World Youth Day, says cardinal"
  CNA (Catholic News Agency) (August 22, 2011 )
• "Pope announces next World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro"
  David Kerr, CNA (Catholic News Agency) (August 21, 2011)
• "Pope hears confessions at World Youth Day's 'Forgiveness Festival'"
  CNA (Catholic News Agency) (August 20, 2011)
• "Pope Benedict XVI defends the dignity of the disabled"
  David Kerr, CNA (Catholic News Agency) (August 20, 2011)
• "Kenyan father and son made sacrifices to make it to Madrid"
  Lorna Cruz, CNA (Catholic News Agency) (August 20, 2011)
• "Hollywood star Matt Marsden urges young Catholics to get involved in movies"
  David Kerr, CNA (Catholic News Agency) (August 20, 2011)