Much as we may differ on various doctrinal issues, I've been convicted for some time now that it really is time to put that all aside now. It's John 17 time....
Maybe it's the German Lutheran in me, but I've always LOVED this pope. My son has Scout meetings at our local parish, and every time I pass the papal portrait, The Lord nudges me to say a prayer for him.
I see much humility and a love for God in his face, a wise and gentle soul. Also, he loves cats!
Seriesly though, very soon we won't have time to be splitting hairs over transsubstantiation and Holy Water-type of issues: "Is Jesus Lord? Has Jesus Christ come in the flesh? Has God raised Him from the dead?" "YES INDEED? Welcome brother/sister in Christ!"
I guess persecution has a way of paring things down to the essentials of life.
AGREED about the current Pope.
Though I believe—in terms of the recent ones—they have all been laboring under the constraints imposed upon them by the global oligarchy . . .
The skull-duggary (achieved with impunity) around the death of the one who was so briefly in his office was incredible, as I understand it.
John 17:
15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
17Sanctify[b] them by the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20”My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.
May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me.
May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24”Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25”Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”