This past New Year’s Eve, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away, ending a 95 year old life characterized by scholarship, leadership and service in the Church. It is difficult to underestimate this moment for the world, as many of us see this event only once or twice in our lifetimes. Of course, the historical significance of Benedict’s death is heightened by the fact that the reigning Pope Francis was able to preside at his predecessor’s Funeral, and the further fact that no Conclave will occur for the Cardinals of the Church to choose a successor. All of this has been in my mind and in my prayer since learning of Benedict’s passing.
But another memory has been clear for me as well, and it is this that I want to focus on for us here at BK as we begin the Second Semester of the school year. When Cardinal Ratzinger became Pope Benedict in 2005, the “buzz” around me worried that “God’s rottweiler” (as he had been painted by many in his role as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) would become an authoritarian and dictatorial Pope. Specifically, many of my Jesuit brothers were concerned about what they seemed to fear would be a sharp turn to the right during this new pontificate. Then, in 2008 the Jesuits met in what we call a “General Congregation,” our highest form of governance for the order, at which we chose our new Superior General to lead the Jesuits worldwide. During this Congregation, then Pope Benedict came and visited the Jesuits and our new leader, and his address and demeanor with us completely changed the “buzz” about the Pope. Jesuits I know who were present spoke about the fondness and brotherhood they felt from Benedict during his visit, and the deep sense that the Holy Father understood both the charism of the Jesuits and the contribution we make to the life of the Catholic Church. Since then, there has been a palpable feeling of love and spiritual connection between Benedict and the Jesuit Order, and so I know that his passing has affected us deeply.
All of this is background and context to say that we each go through life-changes that may change both our reputations among others, as well as some of our priorities and decisions, and the change to the new Semester might be a good opportunity for us to reflect on this reality. As I watched a man who had been stereotyped as “God’s rottweiler” transform into the dignified, humble and yet strong Pope Benedict, I realize now that he was not one or the other; he was both. Can the same be said about us? Are we letting the passing of time, as well as the shifting of our roles at school, in our families and in our professional lives usher us into a new future that might rely on the past, but isn’t dictated by it? For students, is this Spring Semester going to be nothing more than a rehash of the struggles and mistakes of the Fall, or will we be able to take what we’ve learned and truly grow? Specifically for our Seniors, who are now experiencing the last precious experiences of High School, can they never give up learning something new? Can they commit to squeezing the last drops of meaning, learning, growing and loving from this place, even at the same time that they are preparing to leave it? For teachers and staff, can we look at BOTH the students we will teach all year, as well as the new ones in our classes, teams and activities, with new eyes, seeing them as new opportunities for all of us to grow together in grace and blessing?
There is no question in my mind that something holy, something both gentle and strong, something unyielding and inexorable, happened to Cardinal Ratzinger when he became Pope Benedict. I have no direct access to that, but what I definitely witnessed was the effect it had on my Jesuit brothers. That effect was beautiful, tender and lasting. That effect was God. Can the same happen in our lives and ministries as we gather for this new Semester? This is my prayer for all of us.
|