The Most Rev. Paul J. Bradley has released the following statement on the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: “It is with great confidence in Christ’s promises, yet with sadness of heart, that we have received the news that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, has been called from this world to the eternal life with our Heavenly Father. At the same time, we offer our prayers for the repose of the soul of Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, who has “finished the race” here on earth, that he may enjoy at last the eternal rest and unending joy of the saints in Heaven.
The Most Rev. Paul J. Bradley has released the following statement on the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: “It is with great confidence in Christ’s promises, yet with sadness of heart, that we have received the news that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, has been called from this world to the eternal life with our Heavenly Father. At the same time, we offer our prayers for the repose of the soul of Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, who has “finished the race” here on earth, that he may enjoy at last the eternal rest and unending joy of the saints in Heaven.
As we celebrate Christmas this year, we are all aware that there’s still a lot of darkness in our world. But on Christmas, we rejoice, because more than 2,000 years ago, in the stillness of the night in a remote part of the world, our Loving God entered into our world in an amazingly dramatic and very human way: through the Birth of His only-begotten Son, Jesus. At that time in history, there was also a lot of darkness; but Jesus is the Light for those, like the shepherds and the Magi, who opened themselves to see Jesus for Who he truly is. And as Jesus grew into Manhood, and through His Life, Death and Resurrection, Jesus’ Victory has defeated the powers of darkness forever. It remains for each of us, as People of Faith, whether we too open ourselves to see through the Light of Jesus.