On the former Bishop of Rome's passing

Let us pray for Pope Emeritus Benedict.

He served God’s people for many, many years. He was a prodigious writer with a great intellect who reflected on many subjects and shared the fruits of those reflections with multitudes. One of his greatest gifts was his appreciation of St. Paul’s admonition in his first letter to the Corinthians (12:4-11):

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To everyone the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit for all.”

Benedict knew what his gifts were and he used them well. He also knew what gifts he did not have and, in that self-awareness and humility, he took the extraordinary step of resigning the papacy so that someone with gifts other than his might lead the church. He demonstrated as well that a life well lived includes a life of prayer and he devoted his last years to praying for us all. Let us now pray in gratitude for his life and rejoice that he now experiences God face to face.

~ Fr. Don

(Photo by Vatican Media)