With all the controversy that the Church has endured in the past years, there are concerns that the faith among its followers has seemed to waver.
Don’t count me among those who feel this way. I actually believe the faithful still remain faithful. It is the casually religious that are swayed easily. I understand the logic though. It doesn’t make sense to entrust a human to represent that which is divine in nature. But why is it that in Psalm 118 the stone that the builders reject becomes the cornerstone?
It’s simple. The builders are human and are, therefore, of the world. It only seems inevitable that they would reject something that is not of this world — that is to say, divine.
St. Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesians saying that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone. He was the one that the world rejected and yet, He continues to be the foundation of the enduring family of the Catholic Church.
Not the pope.
The pope is the descendant of St. Peter, a man to whom Jesus Christ entrusted His people. Neither St. Peter nor the pope by himself holds power. Rather, it is a vocation that God has called them to do. It is a specific cross to bear, but in essence, I think they share the same mission, as do we.
Before Jesus returned to Heaven with the Father, He told the apostles to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Pope emeritus Benedict XVI wisely chose this passage for the Year of Faith and for this year’s World Youth Day to remind us that it is our Catholic mission to unite as brothers and sisters in Christ.
In this sense, the Church is as relevant as ever. In a world that is diverse and easily fragmented, we need a shepherd that stands as a reminder of the foundation that we build upon. In his decision to step down, Benedict has acknowledged the importance of the shepherd. In realizing that the Church demands what he can no longer provide, he acted in urgency. I think that in his great humility, Benedict understood that the Church needs a strong leader now.
Like Benedict XVI, as with so many others before him and the many more to come, the pope represents mankind’s commitment to the New Covenant. At the same time, the papacy represents for us God’s promise. I think we all know there is a great disconnect for us there that constantly needs mending and I have nothing but respect for those that answer this call and choose to bear this noble cross.
(Ko Din, 22, is a third-year journalism student at Ryerson University in Toronto.)