A Prayer For Divine Intercession and Inspiration

In the coming days and weeks, it seems we will witness the death of Pope Francis, who was elected Pope on March 13, 2013, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned in the prior month. During his twelve-year reign, we have continued to see significant withdrawal from the Church, with many looking for their spiritual guidance elsewhere.

 

For those who know me, I was an Altar Server as a child at eleven and served until I was out of high school. And beyond, when called upon or was necessary. I was planning to enter the seminary until I decided to wait. I continued along this line, not making a commitment or a decision until I was twenty-two.

I raised my children to follow in the Catholic faith but now, we along with other family members have moved to other faiths. For me. I have embraced Evangelicalism, since I find comfort in the reading of scripture and the manner in which the message is delivered. We also partake in the symbolism of the Eucharist, with the eating of bread and drinking the grape.

But certainly over the last twenty years or so, I have not found peace in the message nor the conduct of the clergy.

While I agree that the church should be more forgiving toward divorced and gay members, the Pope should be in the business of saving souls, not practicing some odd version of third-world socialism by criticizing Americans. This has been a turn-off for many Americans toward the church.

Now, this Pope has made the last turn on his road of life, as he begins those few weeks left to make a difference. But he is unable to reload or redirect because he is filled with his own self-righteousness. His vanity and ego will not allow him to admit he might have been wrong in his manner to deliver his message.

Soon, we will see the Cardinals gather for a conclave to elect, via secret ballot, from those eligible under eighty years old, to assume the Chair of St Peter. And, once again, we will pray for someone to heal the Church.

In my third commentary, called Art, Life and the Papacy back on March 13, 2013, I spoke about Taylor Caldwell who wrote a book about St Luke called Great and Glorious Physician. He was a healer, a doctor of his time, who tried to heal the bodies and souls of his community.

In 2013, I had hoped that the Cardinals would be equally inspired when I wrote, “My hope is that this conclave can find a Healer in its mist. There are several papile who could do the job. My hope that the elected man to take on this awesome task will be guided by St Luke and have the vision to heal a wonderful institution that is sick and ailing, and needs a healing hand to find its way back to good health.”

I pray even harder now for that prayer to be answered.