He Used To Be The Pope (Epilogue)

His Holiness Benedict XVI, Pontiff Emeritus used to be the Pope, so he should get the last word...  From the Huffington Post/AP transcript:

Dear friends, I'm happy to be with you, surrounded by the beauty of creation and your well-wishes which do me such good. Thank you for your friendship, and your affection. You know this day is different for me than the preceding ones: I am no longer the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, or I will be until 8 o'clock this evening and then no more.

I am simply a pilgrim beginning the last leg of his pilgrimage on this Earth. But I would still ... thank you ... I would still with my heart, with my love, with my prayers, with my reflection, and with all my inner strength, like to work for the common good and the good of the church and of humanity. I feel very supported by your sympathy.

Let us go forward with the Lord for the good of the church and the world. Thank you, I now wholeheartedly impart my blessing. Blessed be God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Good night! Thank you all!" (Pope Benedict XVI from Castel Gandolfo - February 28, 2013)

He Used To Be the Pope pt. 2

Today's Readings

"I, the LORD, alone probe the mind and test the heart, to reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds. - Jeremiah 17:10"

Today's post on the GregBlog is one to simply mark a moment in history, for today is the day that someone on this planet will fall asleep knowing that he used to be Pope.  I'm intrigued by the notion, and moved by the event.  Pope Benedict XVI leaves the Chair of St. Peter with a dedication in his heart to lead in a different way, through the way of prayer!

For the first time in nearly six centuries, and only if he reads a paper or watches a TV, a human being will be able to listen as people argue whether he was a good Pope or not.  He might wonder if the New Roman Missal will make a difference, or his series of books called Jesus of Nazereth will help the world understand the true Christ, or could he have done more to stop the evil of abuse in our Church.  He might wonder if he will be able to face the realities of aging and the continuing daily loss of physical ability.  Dare I say, for the first time in 600 years, a person who used to be Pope will have to grapple with the question, "Was it worth it?"

I have no doubt that the Lord and the Pope know it was!

Pope Benedict XVI will be measured like the rest of us, "according to his ways, [and] the merit of his deeds". (Jer. 17:10)  As we watch him exit the world stage , let us also review our life and purpose to this point.  Have we done enough to make a difference?  Have we helped the world understand the true Christ?  Could we do more to help stop evil?  Are we able to face the challenges of our lives?  Don't be like "the rich man" in Luke's Gospel, who waits until its too late to find out that poor Lazarus chose the better portion.  Do what you can do NOW to make this a better place!

God's speed Pope Benedict XVI... PRAY FOR US!

Thank You Pope Benedict!

He Used to Be the Pope!

Today's Readings

"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.

And Now for Something Completely Different...

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"!