Tonight we watched the Conclave begin with the procession of the Cardinals into the Sistine Chapel  – ’twas so interesting to see so many countries represented as each Cardinal made his oath…of course,  after the 1st round of Black Smoke hovered above the Vatican, we are praying (!@!) for Holy-Spirit-Guidance as the ballot process continues tomorrow… & possibly the next day … UNTIL A POPE IS ELECTED.

As we continue our Lenten journey & pray for the Cardinals…(& the one who will become our new Pope)… here is a bit of wisdom from Pope John Paul II:

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me (Luke 9:23).  These words denote the radicality of a choice that does not allow for hesitation or second thoughts.  It is a demanding requirement that unsettled even the disciples and that, throughout the ages, has held back many men and women from following Christ.  But precisely this radicality has also produced admirable examples of sanctity and martyrdom that strengthened and confirmed the way of the Church.  Even today these words are regarded as a stumbling block & folly (see 1Corinthians 1:22-25).  Yet they must be faced, because the path outlined by God for His Son is the path to be undertaken by the disciple who has decided to follow Jesus.  There are not two paths, but only one: the one trodden by the Master.” 

Pope John Paul II
(Message from the Vatican, February 14, 2001)

Whenever you are at a juncture of faith & life, or when the cross you carry gets a bit heavy, consider these words & the path Jesus chose: of sacrifice & sorrows & saving grace — actually radical grace, radical mercy, radical choices: a Radical path…

Something to think about…

grace, peace & heavy choices (made Light)*

  Virginia : )

(*’light’ as in not-so-heavy & ‘Light’ as in redeemed into the shining bright kind)