tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314517715320133664.post20142770881787364..comments2023-05-27T05:50:03.605-05:00Comments on Pater Familias: A new van, same ole kiddies; habemus papamgeophfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936874508556500234noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314517715320133664.post-39731105944640251232008-05-03T22:15:00.000-05:002008-05-03T22:15:00.000-05:00re: habemus papamMike W. asked me at lunch today: ...re: habemus papam<BR/><BR/>Mike W. asked me at lunch today: "So, what do you think about the selection for the new Pope?" I mentioned I was very happy, and not relieved, per se, because this cycle has been going on for 2000 years, so there was nothing to be worried about. He mentioned his concern that the new Pope may run the Church into trouble with his doctrinal views. My perspective: if someone told me that I was taking over the most important job in the world, right after the best person ever had the job, I'd have a lot more worries than His Holiness. Also, he needs our prayers: anything he does will get him into trouble with some groups, and anything he doesn't do will get him into trouble with others, and every move he makes will be compared, probably unfavorably, with his predecessor. My thought is, before JPII, the Catholic Church was dead, irrelevant, to the world. Today, because of him, its a very powerful political/global force, making the dude at the helm's job so much more difficult. So I'm praying for him. And you're right: not only the world, but, just me, /I/ could use more compassion and understanding from others, and I see those around me in need of that, too (and I'm not always good at giving people even just the time of day ... something I know I need to work on). The Church has fed me, and many others, under JPII, which is great, because all the promises of comfort from techology and materialism/commercialism(and even anti-commercialism: communism) have turned out to be empty ones. People need love, and I hope that the Church continues to provide that.geophfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09936874508556500234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314517715320133664.post-18544460717081269212008-05-03T22:13:00.000-05:002008-05-03T22:13:00.000-05:00Dear Doug, [snip same-ol' kiddies comment] Yeah, l...Dear Doug,<BR/> <BR/>[snip same-ol' kiddies comment]<BR/> <BR/>Yeah, like DUH! Do they remember me?<BR/><BR/>[snip mommy-van news]<BR/><BR/>Tough start. Makes you feel pretty butch driving around in a mommy-van, though, doesn't it? We already knew you were a really tough guy anyway, but now, its totally confirmed. YOU the MAN! for sure.<BR/> <BR/>Thank you so much for the update on everything. When I learned about the new Pope this morning, I thought that you and Diane must be relieved that the conclave is finished and that they picked the cardinal that they did. So I was glad for you. I hope Pope Benedict XVI ends up to be as much of a compelling world figure that Pope John Paul II was. I hope he brings compassion and understanding into the Church and helps that to spread around the world. We could certainly use more compassion and<BR/>understanding in this world.<BR/> <BR/>I think I have finally adjusted to my new/temporary life. I am not as<BR/>exhausted as I was the first two weeks, and I have less anxiety about whether or not I will be able to complete some tasks in the time I have available. Joy and John are here this week as well, which is really fun. They are looking at property in this area to eventually build on, so you could end up with more family in VA before you knew it.<BR/><BR/>[...]<BR/><BR/>So, maybe I will pray and ask God to be gentle with out hearts. I don't know what else to ask for, really...<BR/> <BR/>I gotta run. Call me sometime if you want.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com