I've been digesting- specifically over the news of Pope Benedict's resignation.
I've read a few blogs, listened to a few news reports, and read a lot of commboxes. A few things stood out to me. While obviously there is a lot of speculation about what is really going on behind the scenes, I saw a few posts in commboxes from non-Catholics that were remarkable. They were offers of prayers and good wishes for easy transitions and for God to provide us with the right leader. How magnanimous! How charitable! These comments were really emotional for me. They are fruits of Christ's prayer for "all to be one." And this was a bit inspiring for me too. I pray for the leaders of my government and Church. I honestly hadn't really thought about praying for the leadership of other faiths, beyond praying for them as general human beings. So, to those non-Catholics who are offering prayers for our Church, thank you for your inspiration!
The other thing that stood out were the number of posts, blogs and comments alike, coming from Catholics who had converted, or in some cases reverted, during Pope Benedict's pontificate. I am a cradle Catholic, so I haven't walked a mile in these shoes. But the overwhelming theme of these posts was feeling saddened, abandoned, and even "fatherless." If I could, I'd love to give these people a big hug and tell them it's going to be ok!
I can see how this feels like having the rug pulled out from underneath us, especially for people who have been greatly influenced by Pope Benedict. There was no warning- I mean c'mon- there wasn't even any leaking of this from the Pope's butler several months back! And for people who have already experienced destabilizing events surrounding father-figures, I can see how this is all the more emotionally traumatic. I'm sure these people intellectually know our Holy Father isn't abandoning us, even if their hearts are breaking.
We are promised the Paraclete to guide our Church. I am very impressed by how Pope Benedict has handled this. He's been quick (some irony for folks who say the Church moves too slowly!) and he's been completely resolved about this whole thing. His reasons were straightforward and honest, and humble. For such a remarkably intelligent man, to have to acknowledge mental frailty, it must be a terribly painful thing to accept. Shoot! When I was in labor with my son and opted for the narcotic pain relief, I remember being absolutely livid that I felt like I was thinking through Jell-o. I wasn't so upset that it did NOTHING to relieve my pain, I was ticked off that I knew I could think faster and yet I felt like I was mentally trudging through quicksand. I can only imagine how troubling and difficult this must for somebody who doesn't see an end in sight for feeling of diminished mental capacities- let alone seeing that it could still get worse. I think this shows a huge amount of love and trust; love for the people of God and trust in God's will. I say love for the people of God because no doubt he wants the best for us, including the best leadership. And how tempting it must be to feel a sense of personal failure to realize one is no longer up to the task so vividly entrusted to him by God. And yet, Pope Benedict has apparently spent a lot of time praying and discerning about God's will for him and the Church.
And how interesting that this announcement comes on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, patron saint of bodily ills. I can only imagine there is an element of offering up this suffering. The thing about his quick exit is that it gives practically no chance for him or anybody else to try to have an inappropriate say in who the next Pope will be. It really is almost as suddenly as if he had passed away or had been given a very short time to live. This is real humility and trust in God's divine plan. I really believe that he is praying very fervently for the right leadership for our Church and for all of us to be at peace.
And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him? (Luke 11:9-13)
We are going to be ok.
I've read a few blogs, listened to a few news reports, and read a lot of commboxes. A few things stood out to me. While obviously there is a lot of speculation about what is really going on behind the scenes, I saw a few posts in commboxes from non-Catholics that were remarkable. They were offers of prayers and good wishes for easy transitions and for God to provide us with the right leader. How magnanimous! How charitable! These comments were really emotional for me. They are fruits of Christ's prayer for "all to be one." And this was a bit inspiring for me too. I pray for the leaders of my government and Church. I honestly hadn't really thought about praying for the leadership of other faiths, beyond praying for them as general human beings. So, to those non-Catholics who are offering prayers for our Church, thank you for your inspiration!
The other thing that stood out were the number of posts, blogs and comments alike, coming from Catholics who had converted, or in some cases reverted, during Pope Benedict's pontificate. I am a cradle Catholic, so I haven't walked a mile in these shoes. But the overwhelming theme of these posts was feeling saddened, abandoned, and even "fatherless." If I could, I'd love to give these people a big hug and tell them it's going to be ok!
I can see how this feels like having the rug pulled out from underneath us, especially for people who have been greatly influenced by Pope Benedict. There was no warning- I mean c'mon- there wasn't even any leaking of this from the Pope's butler several months back! And for people who have already experienced destabilizing events surrounding father-figures, I can see how this is all the more emotionally traumatic. I'm sure these people intellectually know our Holy Father isn't abandoning us, even if their hearts are breaking.
We are promised the Paraclete to guide our Church. I am very impressed by how Pope Benedict has handled this. He's been quick (some irony for folks who say the Church moves too slowly!) and he's been completely resolved about this whole thing. His reasons were straightforward and honest, and humble. For such a remarkably intelligent man, to have to acknowledge mental frailty, it must be a terribly painful thing to accept. Shoot! When I was in labor with my son and opted for the narcotic pain relief, I remember being absolutely livid that I felt like I was thinking through Jell-o. I wasn't so upset that it did NOTHING to relieve my pain, I was ticked off that I knew I could think faster and yet I felt like I was mentally trudging through quicksand. I can only imagine how troubling and difficult this must for somebody who doesn't see an end in sight for feeling of diminished mental capacities- let alone seeing that it could still get worse. I think this shows a huge amount of love and trust; love for the people of God and trust in God's will. I say love for the people of God because no doubt he wants the best for us, including the best leadership. And how tempting it must be to feel a sense of personal failure to realize one is no longer up to the task so vividly entrusted to him by God. And yet, Pope Benedict has apparently spent a lot of time praying and discerning about God's will for him and the Church.
And how interesting that this announcement comes on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, patron saint of bodily ills. I can only imagine there is an element of offering up this suffering. The thing about his quick exit is that it gives practically no chance for him or anybody else to try to have an inappropriate say in who the next Pope will be. It really is almost as suddenly as if he had passed away or had been given a very short time to live. This is real humility and trust in God's divine plan. I really believe that he is praying very fervently for the right leadership for our Church and for all of us to be at peace.
And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him? (Luke 11:9-13)
We are going to be ok.