A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
I'm shaken, I'll admit.
This doesn't strike me as a particularly propitious moment for the Church. (Or for democracy, the rule of law, and other essential components of what we continue to call civilization.) No doubt Benedict considered this before making his decision, but Paul VI chose not to resign for fear he would set a bad precedent--from then on, this group or that would attempt to pressure his successors into resigning themselves--and it seems to me that Paul VI had a point. And who will succeed Benedict? The more closely I observe contemporary bishops, frankly, the less impressed with them I am (there are exceptions, of course, but still) and I can't see much reason to suppose that the bishops in the College of Cardinals rises all that far above the general run.
I'm shaken, as I say.
Against all this? I have the example of Benedict himself.
Take a look once again at the two minutes of tape below. Proclaimed pope less than an hour before, an old Bavarian scholar stands on the balcony of St. Peter's addressing a hundred thousand in the piazza below--and, by television and radio, all the world. He speaks without notes, in Italian. Immediately--you can see this at about 25 seconds--he speaks of his predecessor as "the great" pope John Paul. Then--this takes place at about 40 seconds--he explains how he sees himself in relation to John Paul II: He himself, says Benedict, represents only "a simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord."
A humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord.
The calm Benedict displayed--the profound serenity--proved then, as during these eight years since, that he believed what he said, and that he believed that was enough.
Say your prayers. Do your work. And leave the rest to the Lord.
Much easier said than done, of course, particularly for someone with as intense an impulse as mine to comment and meddle. But the magnificent life of Josef Ratzinger--for eight years supreme pontiff, and, as of the final day of this month, once again a quiet priest and scholar--proves that it's worth a very good try.
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Mar '11
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
I could not agree more - shaken and moved. A truly great man and Pope.
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
Amen to all you've said, Peter.
(...revealing my own intense impulse to comment and meddle ... )
Sep '10
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
Peter,
You have no reason to be shaken. Stirred perhaps, but not shaken. Entrust yourself during this Lent to the care of the favorite spiritual author of Pope Benedict XV and Pope Pius XII, the some day Doctor of Divine Adoption, the man who introduced the late Blessed John Paul II to the mysteries of the spiritual life, the Irish/Belgian Benedictine Dom Columba Marmion
Edited on February 11, 2013 at 7:37pmJun '11
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
Peter,
Be not afraid.
God
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
Actually, Peter, I think that this is a good thing. Benedict's Papacy had entered its twilight, and the Church mice in the Vatican were beginning to stir and to speak on his behalf. His decision is an indication of his awareness that he can no longer shoulder the burden, and it may signal his determination not to allow others to make of him their mouthpiece.
We must hope and pray that his successor will be a man of real quality. These are trying times, and we are only now beginning to recover from a period of deep corruption.
Mar '11
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
Maybe they can find one this time who is not pro-socialism and realizes that free people in free nations creates the most "social justice". The Catholic Church stance on statism is appalling.
Jun '11
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
An 85-year-old humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord will prayerfully consider whether he has the human strength remaining to continue efficaciously serving the billion Catholics in his care. A less humble servant may never give it a second thought.
If that isn't a proverb, perhaps it should be. God bless Benedict for knowing when it's time to hang up the Papal cleats.
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
Paul A. Rahe: Actually, Peter, I think that this is a good thing. Benedict's Papacy had entered its twilight, and the Church mice in the Vatican were beginning to stir and to speak on his behalf. His decision is an indication of his awareness that he can no longer shoulder the burden, and it may signal his determination not to allow others to make of him their mouthpiece.
We must hope and pray that his successor will be a man of real quality. These are trying times, and we are only now beginning to recover from a period of deep corruption. · 8 minutes ago
Very well stated, Paul. Now to start the Veni Creator....
Oct '10
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
So what becomes of him as he lives out the rest of his post-papal life? I imagine that since there hasn't been a person alive who can say they used to be the Pope in 600 years it must raise some questions. Will it be awkward at all? I'm asking out of pure curiosity.
Nov '11
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
I am moved and stirred by the humility and honesty Benedict has shown here...May each and all of us have such courage! I admit to being dismayed by the political tone of remarks I've seen on this thread; such considerations have their time and place - today is not such a time.
Oct '12
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
If the current crop of bishops is not impressive, neither was the first. One betrayed the Lord, another denied Him (the first Pope even!), another was a tax collector. Nary a man of quality among them, and they were handpicked by the Lord. Yet the Church has endured for more than 2,000 years despite the generally mediocre men at her helm.
Don't sweat the Papal Election... and let us put our faith in the real Helmsman behind the Church.
Aug '10
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
As a non-Catholic, I have no comment on the future of the church, but I do find it interesting that certain people have taken to social media to make repulsive comments about the resignation. These are the very same people who would ridicule the Pope if he were to continue his duties while becoming obviously frail.
I have a theory that Piers Morgan (who tweeted, "The Queen’s a year older than The Pope. Can’t see her ever resigning because she’s tired) is modeling his career after professional wrestling villains'. Why else would a media celebrity go out of his way to annoy Americans by criticizing the Constitution, and the spiritual leader of millions of Americans (and others around the world)? He wants us to hate him.
Let's check back with Piers when he reaches the age of 85 and see if he even has the energy to do a pathetic little talk show on CNN.
Edited on February 11, 2013 at 8:25pmDec '12
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
I read that he will retire to a small monastery on Vatican grounds.
Jun '11
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
Check out the thread on Mollie's earlier post. Katievs and others get into this in some detail.
Jan '11
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
J Climacus:
Don't sweat the Papal Election... and let us put our faith in the real Helmsman behind the Church.
Second that.
Although, MSNBC has latched on to the key meaning of electing a pope:
Mar '11
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
Paul A. Rahe: Actually, Peter, I think that this is a good thing. Benedict's Papacy had entered its twilight, and the Church mice in the Vatican were beginning to stir and to speak on his behalf. His decision is an indication of his awareness that he can no longer shoulder the burden, and it may signal his determination not to allow others to make of him their mouthpiece.
We must hope and pray that his successor will be a man of real quality. These are trying times, and we are only now beginning to recover from a period of deep corruption. · 1 hour ago
I only hope the next Pope can live up to the legacy of the last two. They left some pretty big boots to fill.
Jul '12
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
I think I understand the term "gobsmacked" now.
I'm a huge admirer of the Holy Father; his Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration is a tremendous work. Have not gotten to the others yet--just have not felt up to the heavy lifting. What an incredible Christian thinker.
Jan '11
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
Of course, is it out of the question that Benedict would write another theology treatise, or better, a spiritual memoir?
After all, he's just resigning from a stressful job - he isn't dead yet.
Aug '12
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
Peter Robinson says: A humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord. The calm Benedict displayed--the profound serenity...
*
He has the nicest way with him, a quiet radiance. John Paul I admired. I love Benedict. And I trust him, so I'm inclined to believe he's made the right decision; and as one of his flock, inclined to hope.
Apr '12
Re: A Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord
I would never accuse Pope Benedict of doing something thoughtlessly, but it's hard not to feel discouraged. Not just because I love this Holy Father, but because I keep thinking about how no pontiff will again be able to say or do anything controversial without an accompanying chorus of screams about how the pope is out of touch and needs to resign. It's hard not to feel a little let down.