As I listened this morning to the final public Address of Pope Benedict XVI, I was struck by his willingness to speak about his own frailty. His willingness to put the Church and the office of the Supreme Pontiff of more than a billion Catholics above himself speaks volumes about who he is. He dodged nothing. He spoke to the issues we face. Most of all he let the world in on the conversation with God that led to the historic decision, a model of faith and prayer.
Today's gospel tells us:
whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Pope Benedict XVI gave he life in service and as the good servant, put the faith and the church first. While he published only three encyclicals, they will provide us with years of reflection.
May God continue to bless him.
