Posted on 04/17/2012 7:04:32 AM PDT by marshmallow
Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his 85th birthday today with guests who treated him to Bavarian “oompah” music and folk dancing in the apostolic palace.
Earlier in the day, in an impromptu homily, the Pope had said: “I find myself on the last stretch of my journey in life, and I don’t know what is awaiting me.”
“I know, however, that the light of God exists, that he is risen, that his light is stronger than any darkness and that God’s goodness is stronger than any evil in this world, and this helps me go forward with certainty,” he said.
Later Bavarian bishops, minister-president of Bavaria Horst Seehofer and a 150-person regional government delegation visited the Pope in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall.
They were accompanied by a small Bavarian band, three female singers and 10 children who danced the skirt-swirling, shoe-stomping, thigh-slapping “Schuhplattler” before the Pope.
The Pope’s 88-year-old brother, Msgr Georg Ratzinger, also attended the festivities as well as representatives from the Lutheran Church and the Jewish community in Bavaria.
The children, dressed in traditional costume, presented the Pope with white flowers and a maypole covered with colourful ribbons. They also recited a German birthday poem.
The delegation presented the Pope with gifts of a wooden crucifix sculpted by a well-known 18th-century Bavarian woodcarver, Ignaz Gunther, and a large Easter basket filled with traditional cakes, dark bread, ham and painted eggs.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicherald.co.uk ...
He DOESN’T know what is awaiting him? What has the guy been doing with his “faith” all these years. I am no pope, but I can guarantee I KNOW what awaits me in heaven with Jesus Christ. This guy may not, but I do.
I think he was speaking of the remainder of his earthly life.
But I’m glad you’re going to heaven. Even St. Paul wasn’t so sure.
Just think: if you’d only read one more paragraph into the article you could have avoided looking like a pillock on FR.
Go on, read on that extra paragraph. We’ll wait.
I think he means he's not sure about the details ... like, is he going to just be lying there on a comfortable hammock in the middle of a hot beach, eating hamburgers made from frozen patties with store-bought potato salad and cole slaw, washed down with a never-ending 30-pack of Milwaukee's Best, or watching endless episodes of "Dancing with the Stars" while eating Orville Redenbacher's gourmet popcorn, or maybe attending eternal live Beach Boys concerts, or what? These are uncertainties that make even committed Christians cling tenaciously to life, despite their certain knowledge of the blessings that await beyond.
"Off-topic" post of the day.
He is referring to his earthly ministry.
“I know, however, that the light of God exists, that he is risen, that his light is stronger than any darkness and that God’s goodness is stronger than any evil in this world, and this helps me go forward with certainty,” he said.
Glad to hear your ticket's punched, anyway. Congratulations.
I think he means he's not sure about the details ... like, is he going to just be lying there on a comfortable hammock in the middle of a hot beach, eating hamburgers made from frozen patties with store-bought potato salad and cole slaw, washed down with a never-ending 30-pack of Milwaukee's Best, or watching endless episodes of "Dancing with the Stars" while eating Orville Redenbacher's gourmet popcorn, or maybe attending eternal live Beach Boys concerts, or what? These are uncertainties that make even committed Christians cling tenaciously to life, despite their certain knowledge of the blessings that await beyond.
Happy Birthday, Papa!
Two words...
Solo Lectio
It is nice to know what awaits the faithful believers in heaven. We don't know the actual details, I think the closet to that is when Jesus said, "in my Father's house are many mansions..."
Now, I don't know the exact details of hell either but I can assure you, I would rather spend an eternity with Jesus and his Father than 1 second in hell.
Well he has now outlived his predecessor.
And you my friend are totally WRONG. My Bible TELLS me if I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior, that if I believe in the Cross, the Work of the Cross, that I WILL be in Heaven with Him. You may not know, but I KNOW.
Wrong answer.
No, he doesn't. Neither do you.
Tell me: exactly what will happen in your life tomorrow? Next week? Next month? Next year?
Hmmmm?
Can't do it, can you?
You could drop dead before even finishing reading this post ...
You just don't know.
That's what he meant ... anybody who doesn't get that is really dumb ... or deliberately misrepresenting him.
He was referring to his remaining years on earth. None of us know what tomorrow is going to bring, not even you. I thought he framed that very clearly when he went on to say:
“I know, however, that the light of God exists, that he is risen, that his light is stronger than any darkness and that God’s goodness is stronger than any evil in this world, and this helps me go forward with certainty,”
And who or what "TELLS" you that the Bible isn't just a bunch of blather and drivel?
Hmmm?
He was referring to his remaining years on earth. None of us know what tomorrow is going to bring, not even you. I thought he framed that very clearly when he went on to say:
“I know, however, that the light of God exists, that he is risen, that his light is stronger than any darkness and that God’s goodness is stronger than any evil in this world, and this helps me go forward with certainty,”
Il Papa is teaching us about earthly humility here.
The lesson, par excellance, of his Shepherd, seated at the right hand of God.
There is no assurance of salvation in Catholicsm, you continue on that treadmill of works without ever knowing if you have done enough to get you to heaven. And for that reason ... it is another gospel ...
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