The Pope Emeritus on the lightning strike on Saint Peter’s that occurred on the day of his announcement of his resignation:
Guerriero then turned to the subject of the famous picture of lightning striking St. Peter’s basilica on the day of his resignation announcement. Benedict knew of the photograph and said “I should have really worried had I not been convinced, as I said at the beginning of my pontificate, to be a simple and humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord.
“From the start I was aware of my limitations,” he continued, “and I accepted them, as I have always tried to do in my life, in a spirit of obedience.”
Go here to read the rest. People often wish God would speak to them. I think most people, PopeWatch is probably in that category, would find some way to ignore Him even when confronted by an obvious manifestation of God.
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Luke 16: 27-31
But God does speak to man. To man’s core, his heart. Having within the Eucharist the sweetest of milk and honey is a discourse which the princes of this world can not taste. Nor can they hear the gentle guidance and songs of support from an unseen God who is visible in nature.
Adoration of Jesus found in the Blessed Sacrament is the most profitable time for my soul. He speaks. I listen.
Amen Philip
“. Benedict knew of the photograph and said “I should have really worried had I not been convinced, as I said at the beginning of my pontificate, to be a simple and humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord.”
Sometimes we have ears but can’t hear because we already know the answer, or think we do. I think B16 already thought this through as he watched JPII slow down. He thought and thinks he did the right thing …and. He may be right… God’s plan Will come to pass-
but the photograph does make me think the devil was feeling his oats a bit.
Just as Vatican II was a huge mistake but permitted for reasons known only to God, so was Benedict’s resignation. I believe we are somewhere near the beginning of the end of it all as our Church more and more takes on a geopolitical role while forsaking it’s primary mission of salvation and redemption.