Thoughts Along the Journey

For the first time in 600 years, the pope is retiring.  Today is Pope Benedict XVI's last official day as the leader of the Catholic Church. I don't have words to say what it feels like...all I can say to him is, "Thank you for showing us what true servanthood is all about."

The complete text of his last public homily is below:  Venerable Brothers, Dear Brothers and Sisters! Today, Ash Wednesday, we begin a new Lenten journey, a journey that extends over forty days and leads us towards the joy of Easter, to victory of Life over death. Following the ancient Roman tradition of Lenten stations, we are gathered for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The tradition says that the first  statio  took place in the Basilica of Saint Sabina on the Aventine Hill. Circumstances suggested we gather in St. Peter’s Basilica. Tonight there are many of us gathered around the tomb of the Apostle Peter, to also ask him to pray for the path of the Church going forward at this particular moment in time, to renew our faith in the Supreme Pastor, Christ the Lord. For me it is also a good opportunity to thank everyone, especially the faithful of the Diocese of Rome, as I prepare to conclude the Petrine ministry, and I ask you for a special remembrance in you...

I'm sure by now everyone has heard the news:  Pope Benedict XVI has submitted a letter of resignation from his position as the pope.  Some reporters are trying to say, "We knew this was going to happen."  Doubtful.  Even reporters in Rome are in shock. The last time a pope resigned was back in the 1400's.  It is hard to grasp what this means, other than that we will soon have a  new pope.  What I DO know is that we should all be praying with great fervency for the college of cardinals.  They have a great burden of decision on them, that absolutely must be directed by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In 2005, Pope John Paul II passed away.  At that time, though I was not Catholic, I instinctively knew this was a historical moment for, not just the Catholic Church, but for all Christians throughout the world.  That evening, our family attended Mass at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, just to show our support and prayer for all of our bro...

"Then He said to all, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.'" Luke 9:23 As anyone who has read my blog for very long knows, our family has been on a spiritual journey for several years. We first became familiar with Lent back in 2002. We had never practiced this in our former denomination, so it was very new to us. Honestly, I did not like the somber, minor key music very well. And boy, did I get tired of hearing about sin and repentance! We couldn't even say "Allelluia" for the entirety of Lent. What a downer! But I do have to say, when Holy Week came, and we celebrated Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and then...Easter...what a difference! I felt so much more ready to celebrate! My sins are forgiven because of the cross! I have victory because of the empty grave! Being able to say "Alleluia" again had even deeper meaning. One of the things I like most about Lent (and there are man...

I was going to work on a new post about the pope's visit. But my hubby wrote such a wonderful one, I'll just let you check it out on his blog, One Pilgrim .