The Passing of the Pope and the Spiritual Shift of the Kingdom

I just saw a report that Pope Francis has died.

He had been in the hospital some 38 days prior to today with double pneumonia and those closest to him had made the statement that on two occasions he had been close to death, only this time...he’s gone.

Prior to his passing, I knew something wasn't right in my spirit, because after his hospital release, he visited a prison. Within itself that may not seem strange, seeing as how last week was Holy Week. But when I saw the prisoners kissing his hands, I knew it was too much. In the sense that after I had COVID it took some time for my lungs to recuperate. Not only that for him to have been in public, around so many, just wreaked of a setback. Looking back, I think he was ready and may have stayed alive to do just that. To be amongst the people. These are just my thoughts.

But to no longer have him in the world hurts.

Having him here was a comfort, that until now, I didn’t know I enjoyed.

To see his name and face pop up on my screen with that boyish grin always made my heart smile.

To know that he is no longer with us has got me to thinking.

There are a people who are without a leader. Even more so, there is a whole religion without their Pope. They relied heavily on his faith and now that he is gone.

I pray God give them the opportunity to get to know Him for themselves.

When things like this happen, I have grown to learn that a major, major, major spiritual shift has occurred.

Every time a spiritual leader leaves earth we are left with a shift.

Though I am not Catholic, this spiritual shift affects us all. In fact, Pope Francis’ death has solidified a shift that most are not ready for. My prayer is that our Heavenly Father would give us all the gift of repentance while my prayer for others is that they would receive an infilling of His precious, precious Holy Spirit.

I pray for God's Catholic babies.

Today and for many days to come they may feel lost. Lost because so much of who God is has left the earth. Lost because they may not know God as well as they could...for themselves. Lost because they need God. Thankfully they were able to see God in Pope Francis, but my prayer is that they begin to see God in themselves. That they would come to know that the same Holy Spirit that was in Pope Francis can live and abide in them.

Even though he's left the earth, the thing that makes me smile is that he is with God. I smile as I think of what he must be experiencing. He’s with God. Glory be to God! He is with God. He blew this popsicle stand. He got out of this sin-soaked place and is with God and His beautiful Son.

There is joy in that.

May those who knew, loved, and served him find joy in that.

On this day, will you join me in thanking God for his life. For his service. For who he was as a man, and who he became as a Pope.

The world seems different today.

Yesterday there was a peace. A prevailing peace that only Resurrection Sunday can bring. I didn’t know Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Bishop of Rome would be caught up in it.