A Thought and Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI

As I watched his last angeles, my eyes filled with tears for Benedict XVI. He is a man alone before God...with unachieved goals, unanswered charges, and his force fading with age. Yet, his face and eyes glow with love and kindness. Instead of thinking of the pomp to come or the heavy charges already posed, think of his burden - shared only with God - his sense of inadequacy, but above all, his conviction that he could not do everything and that it is now time for someone else to try. Try to lead this oldest of all human institutions...2000 years of being the face of God among men. Pray for Benedict. Pray for the Church. Pray for mankind...as Benedict surely will continue to do.