Remembering Pope Benedict XVI
“[God] calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all our strength” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1).
Mark Bray, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
My recollection of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s time as pope is captured in three distinctive memories:
Being in the fifth grade and watching the black smoke puff out until it turned white, and Pope Benedict XVI emerged onto the balcony, greeting the faithful in St. Peter’s Square.
Walking into my Newman Center and receiving a yellow T-shirt with one of his more well-known quotes: “The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” (The original quote was, “The ways of the Lord are not easy, but we were not created for an easy life, but for great things, for goodness.”)
Feeling startled at the announcement of his resignation and attempting to read one of his encyclicals, in awe at the depth of his writing and insights.
Over the last few weeks, I have learned more about Pope Benedict’s life before, during, and after his time as pope. In a life that spanned nine decades, numerous Church roles, and a multitude of writings and contributions, what can we as Catholic businesswomen learn from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI?
Our Temporary Home
Pope Benedict was formed by the blessing of being born on Holy Saturday. Throughout his life, he reflected on this blessing as being true to our human life of waiting for the kingdom: “We are still awaiting Easter; we are still not standing in full light, but walking toward it in full trust.”
This blessing was at the heart of his relationship with Christ. Pope Benedict’s life was a reflection of this truth: that this is our temporary home, that we are battling between good and evil, and that it is only in heaven that we will experience the eternal joy and glory of the Father’s love.
Holy Saturday is a waiting period—a preparation of the heart, mind, and soul for the eternal glories of the Resurrection. Though he had tried to retire from his Vatican role before his election as pope, the Lord called Pope Benedict to the role of pope and pope emeritus to live his Holy Saturday. He accepted these roles with the humility and trust that came from his relationship with Christ. He recognized the temporariness of his time as pope and pope emeritus and gazed toward heaven, trusting in the Father’s timing.
In his first papal homily, Pope Benedict said that we are never alone in the journey of faith and that the saints have shown us the way. This truth strengthened him as he accepted the enormous task before him, knowing that he was not alone and did not have to carry the truth alone; both the saints and the Church’s prayers were with him.
As Catholic businesswomen, we can let this truth strengthen us as well—that however alone we feel in the burden of our roles, we are never alone. God is with us, and he is walking with us every step of the way.
The Battle of Good and Evil
On Holy Saturday, we also have the reckoning that evil is real and grows darker when we push God aside. Pope Benedict encountered that battle between good and evil growing up in Nazi Germany, defending the faith against the rise of relativism, and investigating worldwide clerical abuse cases.
In our own human weakness, we fail and need to acknowledge the consequences. Our actions or inactions in response to evil deeds have far-reaching impacts on people we do and do not know. Pope Benedict understood this all too well, as he acknowledged the pain of the victims of sexual abuse, the Church’s wrongdoing, and his own possible errors when handling abuse cases when he was the bishop of Munich, Germany.
We can learn from Pope Benedict that through the grace and mercy of God, we can humbly acknowledge and accept responsibility for our actions or inactions.
A Relationship
Pope Benedict lived his life in relationship with Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom. He was an academic and theologian who deeply contemplated God’s words, the Church’s teachings, and the problems of the world. He held high-level roles within the Church and wrote a multitude of books, essays, articles, and letters.
But when you break it all down, he was a man who walked in childlike faith, delighting in the Lord. His whole life was submission to the will of God, trusting in the goodness and mercy of the Lord. His life was a Holy Saturday—waiting and preparing to experience the Resurrection of Easter Sunday. His last words capture his whole life: “Lord, I love you.”
That is a life well-lived—knowing the Lord on earth and being happily ready to experience his love and joy at death.
Amid everything that we will remember about Pope Benedict XVI, let his last words live in your heart and soul. They are the lived-out reality that God has called us to seek, know, and love him with our whole strength. Benedict’s life showed us the truth: that we are made for a relationship with the Lord. Let us go today in childlike faith, delighting in our Lord.
Alexandra (Alex) Harrel resides in Irving, Texas. She is a new student affairs professional within the world of higher education. In her spare time, she loves reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time outdoors. Her favorite prayer is Hail, Holy Queen. You can follow her on Instagram at @2012alexandra.