Pope Benedict XVI

Today is the last day for Benedict XVI to serve the Church as its Holy Pontiff.  Benedict will be remembered mostly as an extraordinary teacher and theologian who recognized the roots of the Church, but also understood the diversity.  In addition to all of the brokenness in the Church, Benedict struggled to bring a sense of unity from within and outside of the Church. 

In John's Gospel Jesus prays that the Church might have the same communion in the world, as is shared between the Father and the Son.  It is a sadness when we try to attach names on people, like 'liberal' or 'conservative.'  Our Church should be beyond those identifiers.  The various members of the body of the Church should recognize themselves as members of the Body of Christ. 

Our Church will fervently pray now for a new Shepherd, who will imitate Christ Jesus in word and in deed.  But it is also good to pray for the mission and ministry of the Church.  We can become so myopic that we forget about our connection with the body of believers throughout the world.  In our own country we see a diversity between regions, rural, and urban environments.  Our prayer should be that we recognize our cultural differences, but know that these are superseded  by the work of Christ that is ours because of our Baptism.

Today is historical, but really just a blip in the larger schema of the Church and it's work.  We pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to over-shadow us, and to be our guide and direction.

"Prayer for the Church in Anticipation of the Vacancy of the See of St. Peter"
By: Knights of Columbus Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore

"O Lord Jesus Christ, Supreme Pastor of Your Church,
we thank you for the ministry of Pope Benedict XVI
and the selfless care with which he has led us
as Successor of Peter, and Your Vicar on earth.
Good Shepherd, who founded Your Church
on the rock of Peter's faith
and have never left Your flock untended,
look with love upon us now,
and sustain Your Church in faith, hope, and charity.
Grant, Lord Jesus, in Your boundless love for us,
a new Pope for Your Church
who will please You by his holiness
and lead us faithfully to You,
who are the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Amen."