"Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock." 1 Peter 5:3
On Thursday, February 28, 2013, at 8:00pm Vatican time (1:00pm here at my house), Pope Benedict XVI will leave "the Chair of St. Peter", and retire as the Holy Father of the Catholic Church. That chair will remain vacant until a new Pope is elected, most likely sometime in March. For the first time in 600 years, there will be a person, living on this planet, who can say, I USED TO BE THE POPE!
Today (2-22-13) is the Feast of That Chair... The Chair of St. Peter. Its a day where we reflect on the importance of the role of the Pope, not necessarily the person. Its fair to say that there have been some interesting people to assume the role of Pope over the Millennia. Some are Saints, and some are forgotten. Some changed the world for the better, and some did not. The fact remains, however, that the call of St. Peter, and all who would follow him, was to shepherd the flock, and lead the Church by good example!
Pope Benedict XVI is a good and decent man, and his leadership has brought the Church to where it is today. Some may like that, some might not, but his example of humility, decency, and commitment to his faith have met the standard that authentic leadership demands. I am praying for our Holy Father, and soon to be again, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. May he continue to live for years to come as the man who "used to be the Pope", and as a model of faith, leading us by his example, which in this case will be a life of prayer and contemplation.
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