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"Christ walked in peace through the midst of them" after the townsfolk dragged him to the edge of town with the intention of throwing him over the hill. The assault upon the Holy Father Christmas Eve, and his remarkable composure afterwards, reminds me of this gospel passage. The obvious peace and recollection the Holy Father exhibited seems to reveal the depth of his spirituality and his profound humility - in fact, maybe even a heroic charity. Which indicates a preparedness for martyrdom.
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I like to imagine the incident was the source of perfect joy for the Holy Father this Christmas.
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"'Above all the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit which Christ gives to His friends is that of conquering oneself and willingly enduring sufferings, insults, humiliations, and hardships for the love of Christ. For we cannot glory in all those other marvelous gifts of God, as they are not ours but God's, as the Apostle says: 'What have you that you have not received?' But we can glory in the cross of tribulations and afflictions, because that is ours, and so the Apostle says: 'I will not glory save in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ.'" - Little Flowers of St. Francis
I love him so much. I wish I could kiss him on the forehead or hold his hand or something.
ReplyDeleteLong live the Pope.
Just what I was thinking- Long Live the Pope!
ReplyDeleteThat was marvelous story, Terry (your link). I had not heard or read that before.
ReplyDeleteBearing insults and false accusations with calm and serenity is kinda the acid test....and one I fail miserably.
Cathy and Shirley: I, too, would love to embrace him and kiss him.
ReplyDeleteI love JP II very much; his intellect and faith have been a real gift to the Church, in all of his encyclicals, which are the program of implementing Vatican II.
But Pope Benedict XVI has "captured my heart"...I love him as a real father...somehow he speaks to me and influences me in such a profound way.
May he reign for many, many years!
Terry, I thought the same thing. We are so blessed to have him.
ReplyDeleteTour observations are so cogent, Terry.The article on perfect joy was a gem. I love this...
ReplyDelete' if we bear..patiently and take the insults with joy and love in our hearts, Oh, Brother Leo, write that that is perfect joy!".
What astounded me it the fact that, after the attack, afterwords he is out and about at a SOUP KITCHEN! Cornelius Connelly was right. Actions do speak louder that words!
Should be Cornelia.
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