As I write, Easter Monday is almost over and with it news of the passing of Pope Francis.
The Christian Science Monitor
published this:
The first Latin American
pontiff, he was celebrated for his humble style and concern for the poor, but
alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change. From
his first greeting as pope of a simple “Good evening” to his embrace of refugees
and the downtrodden, the Argentine-born pope signaled a different tone for the
papacy, stressing humility over hubris for a Catholic Church beset by scandal
and accusations of indifference. –AP
It may be timely to reprint the tribute paid by Mary Baker
Eddy on the passing of Pope Leo XIII in 1903:
ON THE DEATH OF POPE LEO
XIII, JULY 20, 1903
The sad, sudden announcement of the decease of Pope Leo XIII, touches the heart
and will move the pen of millions. The intellectual, moral, and religious
energy of this illustrious pontiff have animated the Church of Rome for one
quarter of a century. The august ruler of two hundred and fifty million human
beings has now passed through the shadow of death into the great forever. The
court of the Vatican mourns him; his relatives shed “the unavailing tear.” He is
the loved and lost of many millions. I sympathize with those who mourn, but
rejoice in knowing our dear God comforts such with the blessed assurance that
life is not lost; its influence remains in the minds of men, and divine Love
holds its substance safe in the certainty of immortality. “In Him was life; and
the life was the light of men.” (John 1 : 4.)
(My. 294:22–7)
The Easter message of resurrection is particularly
relevant. Mrs. Eddy wrote:
I love the Easter
service: it speaks to me of Life, and not of death. Let us do our work; then we
shall have part in his resurrection.(Mis. 180:16–19)
And from Scripture:
And with great power gave
the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was
upon them all.
(Acts 4:33)
Julie Swannell
Thank you for this very timely blog. xx KB
ReplyDelete