Today marked Pope Benedict XVI’s last day ‘in office,’ so to speak. Several of my evangelical friends & family have asked what i think of his resignation? actually this courageous step has increased my appreciation of Pope Benedict in a whole new way. For sure, he has been a great spiritual leader, encouraging all of us to greater devotion in Jesus Christ – but i am so impressed by the legacy of humility he now leaves by stepping down from such a powerful position.

HUMILITY… to separate the Person from the Position … & COURAGE to take a step of faith ‘back’ to a simple life as he faces the aging gauntlet before his eventual Graduation (the Heavenly kind.)  I pray that God will continue to strengthen Pope Benedict’s faith & provide extra doses of the supernatural grace that has flowed through him – especially these past few weeks.  May the Love of Christ & Power of the Holy Spirit enfold him & hold him ever blessed in the time he has left here with us.

“We always overestimate ourselves when we imagine we are completely indispensable and that the world or the Church depends on our frantic activity. Often it will be an act of real humility and creaturely honesty to stop what we are doing, to acknowledge our limits, to take time to draw breath and rest…

…Those who read Holy Scripture in a reflective spirit found this experience in Paul, translated into the profession of Christian hope: ‘I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.’  (Romans 8:18) The center of gravity of existence has shifted as a result of this certainty: now it lies at the morning of life, which means that it takes away the oppressiveness and the pressure of the moment and dissolves the tears of the evening by the power of a grace that lasts forever.”  

Pope Benedict XVI  (from “Seek That Which is Above”)

grace, peace & supernatural grace

Virginia