I just saw the news. Time is crunch right now, and I'm sure others with far more credentials will comment on his life and papacy.
Pope John Paul II passed shortly after we began our journey into the Church. Therefore Pope Benedict was pope by the time we officially entered. That's why we have a special place in our lives and a feeling of connection with him.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
I just finished his book, Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives last night. I really appreciated his insights and the connections he made between Scriptural passages that I had never considered before and am looking forward reading the other books in the series.
ReplyDeleteThat was me above ;)
DeleteI read that some years ago, and yes, he was quite the scholar and good at unpacking insights into things that went right by me. I never read the rest of the series though, and might have to remedy that. Perhaps I'll wait to see what you think of them.
DeleteI honestly thought I was going to feel abandoned when Benedict died. With the last 10 years of Francis every time I thought, "UGH!", knowing Benedict was still with us gave me a certain consolation. I didn't know I could appreciate a Pope as much as I loved JPII, who was Pope for my whole life up to that point. But I really, really appreciated Benedict's clarity of teaching and his true humility.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful we had some warning though. My family was able to offer up a rosary for him the other day. And today I didn't feel a loss, but a serene joy almost. Weird, I know, but we don't really lose anyone in the communion of saints, and I feel confident we have only gained another higher advocate. Deo Gratias!
Yes, he lived well. If the reports are correct, he also left this world about as well as I could hope to. Remember, we often mourn for ourselves when someone passes, especially someone like him. Our faith is that he is just fine.
DeleteIt will surprise me not at all when Papa Ben is made a saint, though I don't really expect it in my lifetime. The same goes, three times over, for when he's declared a Doctor of the Church, which may take a couple centuries or more.
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