2nd Sunday of Easter 27 April 2025 The Pope
We are preparing for the election of a new Pope.
We pray for the whole process - especially that the man chosen to be Pope will be the one whom God wills for that position.
Once we have a new Pope we have to maintain the prayer. The prayer has to be constant because the burden is constant. Imagine being pastor of the whole Church. 1.3 billion out of eight billion. He is pastor for the Catholics and has some influence on the others
We pray for him because he is a man doing God’s work. Ever since Our Lord entrusted the leadership of the Church to Peter there has been this curious partnership of divine and human authority. Men are called to do what God would do far better.
It might seem to us a better idea if Christ had stayed on the earth and run the Church Himself. But He entrusted the task to flesh and blood, earthen vessels as St Paul spoke of himself and companions.
A man doing God’s work, even if he be a most remarkable man, is out of his depth unless sustained by God’s grace. It is to obtain God’s grace for the Pope that we pray, at every available occasion.
We pray that God will carry the Pope, and with him the whole Church, to the fulfilment of His will.
The Pope suffers from being in such an exposed position. Everyone wants to tell him what to do. His role is often interpreted (even within the Church) in purely political terms. He should do this; he should do that - much as we would say of a temporal ruler, such as a prime minister.
But the Pope is more than just someone who does things or makes certain decisions.
He is the Vicar of Christ, standing in His place. The Pope does what Christ would do. He reproduces in himself the pattern of Christ’s death and resurrection.
It is not a role that can be easily interpreted in normal political terms. It is a role which goes more into the mystical realm of deep suffering and self-offering.
He has to be prepared as a matter of course to go against public opinion, to hold firm to the light of Catholic Tradition. The world wants novelty but the Pope is not there to provide that, rather to defend the deposit of faith. It is, however, always possible to present old teachings in new ways – as long as the teaching is intact. For example, creative use of the internet.
While he is defending the true faith he also shows pastoral zeal. In the name of Jesus Christ he seeks to gather the stray sheep into one flock.
We express loyalty in advance to the new Pope and willingness for ourselves to be part of the pastoral outreach of the Church.
May the Lord preserve him, and defend him and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.
Pope Francis was strong on mercy, specially relevant on Divine Mercy Sunday. He reminded us of God's willingness to forgive and how central that is to our whole understanding as the Church.
To quote two of his many statements: ‘Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy … Time and time again he bears us on his shoulders. No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love.’
‘Mercy is this concrete action of love that, by forgiving, transforms and changes our lives… From generation to generation, it embraces all those who trust in him and it changes them, by bestowing a share in his very life.’
Under Christ’s influence we become merciful ourselves, expressing charity to all. Instead of resenting enemies, we hope that they find the best way forward, just as we would want for ourselves.
Lord, have mercy!
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