Although I am not Catholic and am not
subject to the Holy See, I still feel the need to pause and ponder
the decision by Pope Benedict to step down. After all, even
Protestants were once Catholic.
By now you've heard much of what the
media has to say and it's hard for me to listen to them. Few to none
of them show any knowledge about that which they speak. One need only
hear their “laundry list” of things the next Pope should be and
do to see their ignorance. Unless I have misunderstood the process,
those who choose the next Pope pray for guidance from the Holy
Spirit, not the news agencies.
Although Pope John Paul II was one of
the most beloved of popes in modern history, his age and illnesses
severely limited him during the latter part of his tenure on St.
Peter's seat. I have to wonder if this has not had a bearing on
Benedict's decision. He is known as a humble man and this move shows
true humility. A true desire to serve our Father and the Catholic
church as best he can. Truly, how many of us would willingly
relinquish the power he wields?
If there is one glaring lesson to be
learned by this decision it's this...perhaps
Benedict’s retirement is meant to remind
this exceedingly busy world — the non-stop,
twenty-four-hour-live and very self-important world — that we are
none of us indispensable; that there comes a time to step back, throw
oneself into the arms of the Lord and trust that all shall be well.
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