Well Done

Notes of Concern…

                               …Jackson Blair

Well Done

Many hold that The Pope of the Catholic Church is the Vicar of Christ on Earth. He is the descendant of Peter, the apostle.

Christ’s ministry continued until his horrible death on the cross.

Popes throughout history have felt that if they were named Vicar of Christ on Earth they should serve until they died, no matter how difficult that might be.

Pope Benedict XVI has determined that he should resign as Pope. His resignation is reported to be due to diminishing mental and physical capacity.

Some will say that he has betrayed the basic tenets of faith and the duties of his papacy. That, like Christ, he should serve until God takes him home no matter how difficult that service might be.

There is an example in the secular world of one who seems to have determined to stay the course, Queen Elizabeth II, and recently served her Jubilee Year to much acclaim. She has served England now for 61 years. Here is what she said years ago when she ascended the throne of England:

"I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”

Some will say Pope Benedict has made a rational decision that best serves the needs of his church. He has shown that one can “serve” in many different ways and that as his stamina wanes he passes “leadership” to another while continuing his “service” in a “life of prayer” away from the public eye.

Others will find ways to suggest conspiracy theories about his abdication of the seat of St. Peter.

None of us are qualified to judge.

All of us are qualified to have an opinion.

Everyone one of us walking our own path through the ageing process should have empathy.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger who was one day to become Pope Benedict XVI served the church faithfully. He was an intellect. He played important roles in the Vatican prior to his elevation as Pope. He had strong beliefs and was considered both conservative and a man committed to basic Catholic beliefs.

Whether it is appropriate for a Pope to resign prior to his death will be a matter for conjecture.

This Pope felt he could not meet the demands of his position and that his church deserved better.

It is difficult for me to have any feelings other than gratitude for his service and sympathy for the situation in which he finds himself.

Well done thou good and faithful servant!