• HOME
  • SPEAKING
    • TOPICS
  • COACHING
  • MAKEUP ARTISTRY
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • CONTACT
    • BOOKING
    • EMAIL
  • ABOUT
  • BlOG
  Kirsten Berger Coaching

A  parting  Pope  offers  powerful wisdom

2/28/2013

1 Comment

 
After seeing Geoff off to work and the kids off to school today, I finished cleaning up the morning mess and casually stroll through the house, appreciating my atypical slower paced morning. On the way to my bathroom, to get ready for the day, I stopped by my tv with a strong urge to turn it on. Im not much into tv but this morning's tug had me curious, so I turned it on.

I was greeted with a live scene from Rome, Italy where the send-off of Pope Benedict XVI was happening. As a practicing United Methodist Christian, I've given little thought to the Catholic Church over the years except for the fond memories I have of going to mass with some terrific friends when we visit them in Phoenix, Arizona. 

Anyway, I was struck by the Pope's seemingly relaxed demeanor and kind smile. His first day of retirement has clearly been a good, peaceful day for him thus far. But, this week's media's interest in him has leaned more toward wanting to uncover the 'real story' behind his decision to retire than the possibility that he simply decided it was time. This propelled me to look into his story a bit more...

I learned that Pope Benedict XVI is known as a scholar and theologian. Studying, learning, and practicing the principles of God, through the church, was his life's work. This was evident in his words today, "We have tried to serve Christ and his Church with deep and total love which is the soul of our ministry. We have gifted hope that comes from Christ alone, and which alone can illuminate our path." Sobering words, huh? It got me to thinking, all of us, whether Catholic or Methodist, or any other denomination, are all part of Christ's Church. Yes, but what does that mean for me? I'm just an ordinary mom raising my family and trying to do the right thing. As I paused with that nagging question, I continued to read more about the Pope and landed on this gem...

"The Church is not an institution devised and built at table, but a living reality. She lives along the course of time by transforming Herself, like any living being, yet Her nature remains the same. At Her heart is Christ...the church is a living body, animated by the Holy Spirit, and truly lives by the power of God, She is in the world but not of the world."
-Romano Guardini, about Pope Benedict XVI

This began to make more sense to me. For as long as I can remember, I've told my children that yes, we are in this world but not of it. They understand that although this life offers many amazing things, our sights are set on the day when we are united in everlasting peace with our creator in heaven and it's His truths we are to follow in order to have peace and joy in our lives.


As I pondered this thought, I read this, 
"...so that you may all be fully docile to the action of the Holy Spirit...May the Lord show you what is willed by Him..." 

Docile. What?? Those of you that know me know I love words. So, because of my obsession with words and why they are used like/when they are, I went to work to discover the meaning behind Pope Benedict's words to me; the church. 

As it turns out, if I am to be fully docile, the dictionary defines this action word and being, easily managed and teachable. Uh oh, most days I'm a stubborn know-it-all and not immediately teachable. But then it gets more sobering...Be fully docile to the action of the Holy Spirit. Ugh! What to do, what to do... Then, the Holy Spirit broke it down in more personal terms and it goes like this:

...so that you may all be fully teachable and managed to the living Holy Spirit that is alive and well within you, guiding you...May the Lord show you your specific, perfect path that he's already laid straight for you to follow.

Whoa! This brings me to ask myself, what am I doing right now, today, that is keeping me from being fully teachable and managed? And, am I being receptive to God's nudging towards the path I'm supposed to be on? The truth is...probably not. I'm really good at getting in my own way most days. 

But, after watching and learning a bit more about our 16th Pope, I'm happy to report that I now have a renewed sense of hope in the 'real story'. The story of hope and peace that comes with getting out of our way so that the Holy Spirit will have a chance to do it's work in each of us. Won't you make room for Him to get to work in you? 
1 Comment
Dad
3/2/2013 09:55:16 am

WOW! You have been very perceptive in your comments above. I continue to be proud of you.
Love,
Dad

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Action
    Afraid
    Available
    Back To School
    Candy
    Candy Fairy
    Chidren
    Christian
    Color
    Commandment
    Commemorate
    Crime
    Disburdenment
    Easter
    Eating
    Emotion
    Eye Contact
    Faith
    Fall
    Fear
    Food
    Forgiveness
    Freedom
    Free Will
    Fruits Of The Spirit
    God
    Gratitiude
    Halloween
    Happiness
    Hard
    History
    Holiday
    Holy Week
    Hope
    Independence Day
    Indians
    Interrupting
    Jesus
    Kids
    Kind
    Love
    Managed
    Manners
    Mealtime
    Moms
    Needs
    New Year
    October
    Patient
    Pilgrims
    Please
    Poerty
    Polite
    Pope
    Power
    Pray
    President Lincoln
    Prison
    Pursue
    Reaction
    Resolutions
    Role Model
    Sara Josepha Hale
    Sharing
    Skills
    Spirit
    Stress
    Summer
    Super Foods
    Teachable
    Thankfulness
    Thanksgiving
    Thank You
    Totes
    Traditions
    Travel Tips
    Trick-or-treat
    Trinity
    Working Together
    Zacchaeus

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • HOME
  • SPEAKING
    • TOPICS
  • COACHING
  • MAKEUP ARTISTRY
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • CONTACT
    • BOOKING
    • EMAIL
  • ABOUT
  • BlOG