Because you'll find Christians who have that mentality. You'll find Christians who look really

askance at the life of the mind. They view it as an obstacle. But it points to a certain kind of

anti-intellectual version of Christianity that can easily pop on. Benedict puts it like this. He says,

studying entails deepening one's knowledge while maintaining a spirit similar to the little ones,

an ever humble

and simple seat. Your contemplation of scripture, not only of scripture, but really of all

of the ways that you encounter the word in the world, should lead not only your mind in the direction

of God, but should prepare your heart to receive our Lord. Welcome back to Seamus Popery. I'm Joe Heschmire. And as we end the Advent season,

it's crazy to say that already, and approach the Christmas season, I wanted to share a pair

of beautiful reflections from Pope Benedict the 16th. And the launching point is this line he has,

what is this wisdom born in Bethlehem?

And he's going to explore this theme, if that doesn't make any sense to you, that's okay right now.

I think you'll see both that is a beautiful way of entering Christmas and is particularly

appropriate for the kind of people who watch shows like Shameless Popery. And you'll see why I say that. Now, that reference to the wisdom born in Bethlehem is the fact that during this part of Advent, the last seven nights before we enter into Christmas, we pray what are called the Oantophons. Now, many of you know these from Ocombe Omanuel,

which sets these to music. But at Vespers, you pray for the coming of the Lord,

entreating him under seven different titles. And the one for, this was actually last night,

by the time you're watching this, it's tonight, as I'm recording it the day before. It's for December 17th. It's, oh, wisdom from the mouth of the most high. You fill the whole world with strength and gentleness. You order all things. Come to teach us the way of prudence. Or, if you prefer it set to music, it's, Oh, come, O wisdom from on high,

who orders all things mightily.

To us, the path of knowledge show

and teach us in its ways to go.

And so Benedict, asking a group of students in Rome,

begins his reflection, his homily Vespers,

...