There are a
lot of strange and unusual events in the news, but one of the most unusual is
the resignation of Pope Benedict. It hasn’t happened in 600 years. The last
time that this happened was before everything that we know as modernity and the
modern world. So there’s no precedent for what we’re going through, and it’s a
unique moment for the church. It is a real turning point in church life and for
me personally, because of the times in which I entered the ministry.
Even before
I entered the seminary, I would hear people talking about Cardinal Ratzinger,
and what a strong and powerful and important figure he was. Any conversation
about the universal church would eventually revolve around him. This was the
last thing that he wanted-he wanted just to be a scholar and write books. But
he kept getting jobs that put him in the middle of things that are going on in
our world, and he did those jobs as best he could.
One of my Profs
in Baltimore, who is now deceased, got in trouble back in 1984 for a book that
he wrote on ethics. That’s one way to get a trip to Rome-write a book that gets
you in trouble with the teaching of the church. So he had to go to Rome and
explain what he intended to say and that sort of thing, and he returned to his
job in Baltimore and continued for another 23 years. So that wasn’t so bad. But
he always spoke highly of Joe Ratzinger, as he called him, and like others, he
spoke of his kindness, his personal graciousness, and of course his knowledge
and wisdom.
There were
different facets of his personality, some of which didn’t show easily in the
public eye. And he brought many themes to the papacy, including the importance
of creation and the care of the earth. This has always been our belief, coming
from the Scriptures, but he certainly emphasized it. My professors and
textbooks didn’t always agree with him, but they always acknowledged the
quality of his scholarship. He’s not just an authority figure but a fellow
thinker, and more importantly, a fellow Christian, as we all journey to God.
Now things
are wide open, and anything could happen. We could have a Pope from South
America; we could have a Pope from the Philippines, or Africa. Or-just a few
hours from here-we could have a Pope from Quebec, New York or Boston. All of
those have been named as possibilities. Or we could go back to Italy after 35
years of Popes from elsewhere. Nobody knows. In any event, we must call on the
Holy Spirit to meet the needs and the many challenges of our time, and to guide
the church in choosing the successor of Peter. Despite the negativity that we
hear, it is a tremendous privilege for the cardinals to enter the conclave in
the Sistine Chapel. It is a special moment with God, a peak experience.
Today’s
Gospel is the transfiguration. Early on in Lent, we are already promised the
future glory of the Lord. Peter, James and John share this special moment, this
peak experience of God. Here’s the good news for us-every Mass, every
Eucharist, every Holy Communion is potentially a peak experience. It is an intimate
encounter with the Lord in his glory and majesty. Vatican II’s Document on the
Liturgy says the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.
Sherry Weddell points out that “just as we have to actively climb a mountain
summit, we have to make an intentional journey, properly prepared, to fully
receive the inexhaustible grace to be found in the Eucharistic Christ”. It’s
important to remember-the sacraments are something God does, not the result of
our own efforts. But God calls forth and invites our response, our
participation for a more fruitful sacrament. If we allow him to, Christ Jesus
will take us, all the way to the top.
