I get that feeling too.
In a new interview the Holy Father discusses his Pontificate. It's really very touching. He said he gets the feeling his papacy will last maybe four or five years.
“I have the feeling that my pontificate will be brief: four or five years; I do not know, even two or three. Two have already passed. It is a somewhat vague sensation. Maybe it’s like the psychology of the gambler who convinces himself he will lose so he won’t be disappointed and if he wins, is happy. I do not know. But I feel that the Lord has placed me here for a short time, and nothing more … But it is a feeling. I always leave the possibility open.” - Pope FrancisIt makes me sad. It also seems to explain why and how he is doing so much in such a short time.
Sometimes I think he will be gone so fast that even his critics will be brought to their knees in overwhelming grief.
Praying for the Holy Father.
Today the Holy Father also announced a Holy Year/Jubilee Year of Mercy, to commence on December 8th, 2015. Details here. This is wonderful news and it is a wonderful time to begin to prepare for it.
Dear Papa Francis has told us all before his reign may be a short one. I reflect on what that might mean but as we all know...solo Dios sabe.
ReplyDeleteHis is one of tenderness and closeness and reaching out. And before anyone jumps on me, yes, his predecessors were close to the people but not like Papa Francis, still I regard them all warmly and love and respect them and pray for them always.
His papacy has changed the face of Peter forever.
I agree with you. I feel so close to him - esp. now that he has called forth a Holy Year of Mercy. I think that is significant. I felt especially touched by that.
DeleteTerry,
DeleteI was feeling very sad too after reading your post. I thought about Papa Francis not being with us to guide us onward but then I decided to thank God instead for his still being our Papa and for however long our Lord Jesus decides to keep him with us.
I thought about heaven and all the saints, I thought about St. JPII and Papa Emerito. So in what is a happy thought and consolation, Papa Francis and all of God's saints are with us always and forever and when we get to heaven, we shall see them and together with them, our eternal reward.
One day, as time allows, I want to share a dream I had about 20 years ago that has stayed with me to this day...it gives me hope for my own life after death.
I think people who do not love Pope Francis have hearts of stone. Part of the reason for the rush may also be eschatological. Cartinal George speculated that Francis believes the Antichrist is already here, and he must act quickly. It would be interesting to know more about the Holy Father's views on this subject.
ReplyDeleteI get that exact feeling - I would like to hear the Holy Father say more on the subject - but I guess he did when he told us to read Lord of the World.
DeleteI'm so happy about the Jubilee Year - it will be a great outpouring of grace.
What we forget is that Benedict's papacy wasn't short. Really. It wasn't. The average is 7 yrs but we have had several long papacies recently. From Leo XIII to Francis is more than a century and only 11 popes, four of Francis' recent predecessors were pope for less than 10 yrs, including Pope John Paul I and St John XXIII.
ReplyDeleteI didn't say that! You said that!
DeleteIn fact I knew that. I knew that.
What's your point?
Signed,
Nathan Thurm