Praying for you, future Pope

Last updated on: February 11, 2013 at 8:46 pm by Michelle Van Loon

Praying for you, future Pope 2013-02-11T20:46:28-06:00 Michelle Van Loon

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The last time a Pope resigned, Martin Luther hadn’t been born yet and leeches were still a standard form of medical care. Pope Benedict XVI gave his two weeks’ notice today (just weeks after he began twittering!), and the world has erupted into prayers and conversations about who will be next to fill St. Peter’s sandals. I am sure there’s politicking and all sorts of murmured conversations taking place among those filling slots in the upper levels of the church’s org chart in advance of the College of Cardinals meeting to choose the next pope. I am equally sure that millions of devout Catholics around the world are simply praying for God’s will to be done in the matter. I would like to urge the rest of us who are also members of the body of Christ to join them.

If you’re a Protestant who has ever been a part of a pastoral search committee, just multiply that intense and exhausting experience, say, by about a billion and pray for those who will sequester themselves at the Vatican until a plume of white smoke announces a new Pope to the world.

And if you’re a Protestant who shrugs and says, “This doesn’t have anything to do with me since I’m not Catholic”, I’d like to ask you to rethink that position. The Pope may not be your pastor, but he is your brother. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the next Pope was a fearless firestarter, an agent of revival in the church? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he was a brave and just shepherd, committed to exposing the sin of those who prey on the weak and vulnerable? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he was willing to move past the pomp and ceremony of his role, sit on the shore of the Sea of Galillee just as Peter had done, simply listen to the voice of God, and then go catch a few fish?

With God, all things are possible. Even these things.

I’m praying for you, future Pope.

Ecclesiology

Previous Post

February 6, 2013

Reviews: Pursuing God's Will Together and I've Got Your Back

Next Post

February 14, 2013 Pilgrim's Road Trip #8 – Adios, Joseph

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Baggage Books Calendar Church and Ministry CVID Ecclesiology Everyday Christian life Faith Falling Upward From The Margins Housing Jesus Movement's Unintended Consequences Midlife Midlife Survey #1 Midlife Survey #2 Moments and Days Out To The Margins Pilgrim's Road Trip Regret Seminary Spiritual Formation Uncategorized What's A Nice Jewish Grandmother Like You Doing In Seminary? When The Heart Waits Writing

Select a Month June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Paul James Jesus Peter