All forms of media have been saturated with items and news about
Pope Benedict XVI’s retirement. Which is why- except for a few words after the
announcement- I have avoided the subject. The topic has not been far from my
mind, however.
As we enter the interregnum, I’d like to reflect on a few
things that some people get, and most people will never understand.
Pope Benedict XVI was exactly the Pope we needed after John Paul
II. A Pope usually reigns for about 10 years, so JPII’s reign was
extraordinary. I vaguely remember Paul VI’s passing- then John Paul I so soon
after. Like many people under the age of 60, JPII was the only Pope I
remembered even caring about. Benedict XVI was a lot like him; they were both
scholarly, fatherly figures who loved Jesus Christ with their entire being.
Sounds like the job description for Pope, actually. Now we may return to the
old way- shorter reigns, more of turnover in the job.
The media acts as though this is a big deal. It is- but not
for the reasons they push. It is a big deal because the Church is saying
goodbye to her beloved Papa. The upside is we are not mourning, as would
normally be the case.
The Church is not a business or an organization. She is a
family. She operates as a family, not a democracy. Jesus Christ is the head of
the Church; the Pope is his vicar. The Pope’s role is to lead the Church as a
father- which is why he is called “Papa.” The respected parent is not the one
who bows to every whim of the child, letting him do whatever he wishes. The
respected parent upholds the rules- and takes time to explain why the rules are
necessary. In this case- they are necessary if we see them in view of our eternal
destiny.
The body of writings BXVI leaves us is amazing- and more is
likely on the way. ( I hope!) Encyclicals and apostolic letters have been the
primary writings of most popes- including JPII.
Benedict gave us full-length books, written to be understood by lay
Catholics. Not long after he was elected, we were on vacation. I sat by the
hotel pool reading The Spirit of the
Liturgy, written while he was still Cardinal Ratzinger. (I have read it
twice since then- it never gets old) My husband was on the chaise next to me.
Enthusiastic about the text, I proclaimed, “Yes. Yes! YES!” Tim asked, “WHAT
are you reading?!” “A book by the POPE!” His reply…. “Oh. You sound like an Herbal
Essences commercial.” At the time, I was just beginning to delve into the rich
treasury of Church writings we have at our fingertips. Spirit was so easy to understand- yet so rich, deep and eloquent. I
highly recommend it for anyone who wants to understand liturgy in a new and
exciting way. I promise, you will never look at the Mass the same!
A newspaper article asked if having “two popes” was going to
be a problem for the Church. See? That’s the kind of ignorance in the media. Any
Catholic will tell you- there is only one Pope. Benedict will enjoy the honor
and respect he deserves in his retirement, but he is no longer our Pope. That
makes me a little sad. I will miss him!
Another article suggested a nun be chosen as Pope. Sigh. If
you need a refresher on why that will not happen, see HERE.
By far, the most aggravating pundits have been those who
insist that the Cardinal- Electors choose a Pope “more with the times,” “more
forward- thinking” or “not in the dark ages.” Another example of how people
simply do not understand. It is not the Church’s job to bow to the times or the
whim of a few people. It is the Church’s role to uphold the teachings of Jesus
Christ. Her constancy and consistency and faithfulness to that role have kept
her intact for 2000 years. He promised that, you know- when he made Peter the
first Pope…and Christ himself promised that the gates of hell will not prevail
against his Church.
The Church will not change- cannot change- God’s standards, meaning no change on homosexual
so-called “marriage,” ordination of women, or artificial
contraception/abortion. Sorry, liberals. It ain’t gonna happen.
So, no matter WHO the next Pope is, no matter where he was
born, no matter his political views, I
am confident that he will be elected by the influence of the Holy Spirit. He
will uphold the teachings of Jesus Christ. And the One, True Church of Jesus
Christ will continue until Christ returns in glory.
Lord, thank you for giving your Church the gift of Pope
Benedict XVI. Bless him in his retirement, comfort him in his afflictions, and fill
his heart with the gratitude we, your people, have for his service to us. We
ask you to send your Holy Spirit to fill the hearts and minds of the
Cardinal-Electors as they prepare to enter the conclave. May the man who enters
as Cardinal and leaves as Pope be strengthened by our prayers and by your
Spirit dwelling within him as he takes the helm of the Barque of Peter. Amen.
