Good Bye, Papa

Benedictus vir, qui confidit in Domino, et erit Dominus fiducia eius. Et erit quasi lignum, quod transplantatur super aquas, quod ad humorem mittit radices suas: et non timebit, cum venerit æstus. Et erit folium eius viride, et in tempore siccitatis non erit sollicitum, nec aliquando de sinet facere fructum.

(Jeremiah 17:7-8)

In both the Ordinary and the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, freed by Pope Benedict XVI with his great Moto Proprio Summorum Pontificum, this forms the middle part of the first reading for today’s Mass.

Here is the English:

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit.

Thanks to Rorate for pointing this out. It is, as he says, an apt description Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI.

Over these past weeks, we’ve seen many descriptions and reminisces of the reign of Pope Benedict XVI. I’ve linked to a few of them here. None of them really can do justice to this wonderful, brilliant, prayerful man. We were so blessed to have him as our shepherd for a while.

His was a pontificate of many reforms – in liturgy, in Church governance, in episcopal appointments (and resignations), in a deepening of faith – well begun but still in their infancy. Pope Benedict is right, of course, it will take a younger, stronger man to carry them forward and build on his great work to strengthen the body of Christ.

Good bye, Holy Father. As you pray for us, know that we are praying for you.

Thank you.

From today’s Lauds (Morning Prayer), Psalm 79:

Shepherd of Israel, listen –
you who take Joseph as your flock.
Shine out before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh –
you who are enthroned upon the cherubim.
Awaken your power and come to us,
come to us and save us.
Bring us back, O God:
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
Lord God of hosts –
how long will your anger endure
against the prayers of your people?
You have given us tears for our bread,
abundance of tears for us to drink.
You have made us a mockery among our neighbours,
and our enemies laugh at us.
Bring us back, O God of hosts:
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
You brought a vine out of Egypt;
planted it, and drove out the nations.
You cleared the ground all about it,
made firm its roots; and it filled the land.
Its shade covered mountains,
its boughs shaded the cedars of God;
its leaves spread as far as the sea,
its shoots as far as the River.
So why did you destroy its wall,
so that anyone could pluck its fruit,
whoever was passing by?
The wild boar of the forest broke it,
every wild beast could graze off it.
Turn back, O God of hosts,
look down from heaven and tend this vine.
Protect the vine, for your right hand planted it;
and the son of man, whom you made strong.
The vine is burnt and dug up;
and they too will perish when they see you rebuke them.
Stretch out your hand over your chosen one
over the son of man, whom you made strong –
and we will not forsake you, and you will give us life;
and we will call on your name.
Bring us back, Lord God of hosts:
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.