Today's Readings
In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters. Genesis 1:1
My routine of going to the Scripture to begin my day was interrupted this morning by a phone call from a concerned friend, telling me that the Pope had resigned! What?
In a rare moment these days, I turned on the TV. I saw Benedict's pictures on virtually every morning show, with experts explaining all of the early details. I waited for the "bomb shell". Why else would any leader resign? Was there some issue, or controversy? Nope... After an hour or so of hearing facts and the understanding of how things work. The Holy Father may retire if he chooses. "If it should happen that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office, it is required for validity that he makes the resignation freely and that it be duly manifested, but not that it be accepted by anyone" (Canon 332, No. 2).
Like a great athlete, the Holy Father is retiring at the top of his game.
Here's my first take... From my FB post earlier in the day: Our prayers are with the Holy Father this day, and for many to come. Take a deep breath my Catholic friends, and all who care... This will pan out to be something monumental in the life of the Church. Pope Benedict XVI has just given us a valuable lesson: Knowing when to say when, and putting one's total trust in God and the plan that is in store for us is of primary importance. Sure, there is precedent, and the Code of Canon Law allows for this to happen, but most of all, our Holy Father is calling on our Church to stay in a proactive and ready mode of witnessing the Gospel! He will continue to witness through a life of prayer, while the next Pope will have to hit the ground running! There are things to do!
Now that I've looked at today's readings, I am very confident that God has a plan, for today we hear of Creation... Yep, the whole story of just how we began. No history interpretations or lessons, just the facts. In the beginning, there was nothing. Then that "mighty wind" swept over us, and BANG... We're something! Today, the Holy Spirit is upon all of us, the Church, and Pope Benedict XVI. Once again, this mighty wind is calling the world to create itself anew!
The Holy Father is responding ahead of time to a concern that was raised quite often during the last years of Pope John Paul II's Papacy. Blessed John Paul the Great made a huge impression on the world as he faced illness with humility and courage. And I know that Pope Benedict is doing the same. But he is offering us one very important caveat... The work of the Church must be led by examples of prayer and ACTION. He will continue to pray, but must step aside for someone else who is physically capable to fulfill the role. This decision to resign is rare and the first such decision in more than 600 years. I wonder if his final act as Pontiff is designed to teach us something?
That's a silly question... Of course it is! Like it or not, it's time for something new, and maybe, as Monty Python put it, "something completely different"!
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