Nearly three years after, and in the wake of a new encyclical, it seems somewhat late to begin a commentary or series of reflections on Deus Caritas Est, Pope Benedict XVI's first encyclical letter. Yet for the richness and wisdom of its insights, time does not really matter. This commentary of ours is inspired by a desire to provide a study and reflection aid to the encyclical. 

Our Holy Father, Benedict XVI launches his first encyclical with the words of the first letter of John (4:16): God is love. The one who abides in love abides in God. And God abides in him. In Latin, these words are: Deus Caritas est, et, qui manet in caritate, in Deo manet, et Deus in eo manet. (The names of encyclicals are usually from central words in the first statement of the Latin text). Hence we have the name of the encyclical: Deus Caritas est.

Why does he treat this theme? At the end of his introduction, Pope Benedict XVI gives the reason for his choice of this theme. It is the situation of today's world, and we can confirm it. Today's world is a place where people revenge in the name of God; a place where people hate others as a matter of duty in the name of God; a place where people do violence to and destroy others as a matter of duty in the name of God. This is the world we live in. Watch the international news, it is so clear. 

Is this God? a God of vengeance, hatred and violence? Who then is God? What is true religion?

Understand:  
Why is the encyclical titled "Deus Caritas est"?
Which passage does it refer to?
What does the Pope say is the reason for the choice of this message "God is love"?

Reflect:
Why is there religious violence? Why religious intolerance? Can God be responsible?

Do: 
Do a google search on religious violence.
For a start: Pope decries religious violence http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7055147.stm

Peniel Momoh, OP
penielop (at) yahoo (dot) com