The “humility, gentleness and joyful spirit” of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI were qualities visible throughout his pontificate, said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at a memorial Mass for the repose of the soul of the late pope Jan. 5 at a full Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington.
“We are united with the universal church at this Mass as we thank God for the faithful witness and generous service offered by our beloved Benedict XVI as priest, bishop and pope; as we pray for his eternal peace, and entrust him to God’s infinite love and divine mercy,” Bishop Burbidge said at a noon Mass attended by many school children and parishioners who came to pay tribute. A large portrait of the former pope was displayed at the corner of the sanctuary.
Bishop Burbidge said Pope Benedict’s deep faith and trust in God were reflected throughout his life from early childhood, “during times of great turbulence in his country and throughout the world, and amidst challenges even within the church.” Yet, through it all, “he saw the steadfast power of the Lord to heal, save, and transform his people and he shared that faith devoutly with others.”
Bishop Burbidge said he had the great pleasure of seeing Pope Benedict’s warm smile up close during a visit with him in Rome. “When he shook your hand, he looked right into your eyes, and spoke as if you were the only person in the room,” he said. “You could not leave his presence without being inspired.”
At a time in Pope Benedict’s life when he was thinking of retiring after many years of service, Bishop Burbidge said, “the Spirit of God — as he often does — surprised Benedict when he was elected the successor to his dear and treasured friend, Pope John Paul II. Although not what Pope Benedict had anticipated, he surrendered and offered his ‘yes’ to the Lord’s divine plan. When the new Holy Father introduced himself to the world, we witnessed immediately his humility, gentleness and joyful spirit, qualities that were visible throughout his pontificate.”
He added that Pope Benedict has been called “one of the most gifted theologians ever to be elected pope and had a reputation as a tremendous professor.” His first encyclical, “Deus Caritas Est” (God is Love), “clearly taught, and did so pastorally, with the heart of a shepherd.”
Bishop Burbidge said that the encyclical and his subsequent writings showed Pope Benedict’s “intellectual clarity and pastoral charity,” always stressing the importance of “teaching the truth in love.”
When he discerned that he could no longer serve as effectively as needed, “he did what he thought was best for the church and accepted the role of pope emeritus, with complete trust that this is the Lord’s church and he would guide and protect it,” Bishop Burbidge said.
He added that we can learn from Pope Benedict that “God will sometimes surprise us with what he asks of us. At those moments, may we, like Pope Benedict, surrender and say ‘yes’ to God’s holy will and trust that he will provide the grace and strength we need.”
Bishop Burbidge closed by quoting the same words Pope Benedict used to conclude his homily at the funeral Mass for Pope John Paul II:
“We can be sure that our beloved pope is standing today at the window of the Father’s house, that he sees us and blesses us. Yes, bless us, Holy Father. We entrust your dear soul to the Mother of God, your Mother, who guided you each day and who will guide you now to the eternal glory of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”
See a video of Bishop Burbidge’s homily:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTDI5hDYvr0
