The first words out of the mouth of the Cardinal who responded to Pope Benedict’s abdication during the consistory were about lightning striking in a serene sky. This 23 second video then records what happened in the serene sky outside…
If you feel like you yourself have been hit by that lightning, well… good! I feel that way, and I think that that is how the Mystical Body of Christ works. If one member is in need, the rest feel it. So, this is an invitation to pray. Perhaps this is a getting smacked down by our guardian angels, having us get to work.
Accompany me, Father George David Byers, S.S.L., S.T.D., as I begin life as a Catholic Priest-Hermit by choice. Holy Souls Hermitage is dedicated to the sanctification of my fellow priests, bishops, deacons & seminarians going through the purgatory of this life or the next. Prayer and sacrifice go up, of course, for both Benedict XVI and the next Successor of Saint Peter. 
This immediately made me think of when this happened during the formal declaration of Papal Infallibility at Vatican I and the thunder and lightning on Mt. Sinai with Moses. Hopefully this third occurence is a sign of the power and will of God in this resignation as well.
” … and I think that that is how the Mystical Body of Christ works. If one member is in need, the rest feel it. So, this is an invitation to pray. Perhaps this is a getting smacked down by our guardian angels, having us get to work.”
Or our Father in Heaven wants to hear from His people the way Pope Benedict XVI has been telling us He does, and that the sky is maybe not so serene after all the blasphemies abounding – sort of pointing out the direction in which to turn our minds and hearts to what and where our Pope prays and teaches. Fr. George, it’s as if guardians are saying to pay attention to what’s right more than to what’s wrong so we don’t get lost.
Wow!
Just to add that’s it’s like a powerful reminder of all He’s given for us, right at the Cross it struck out, and what little we give in return to help St. Peter’s successor. Where would we be without God’s help?
Also, I should have said keep in mind what’s right when facing what’s wrong.
There is always more to the story but I seriously doubt we will ever find out what the real motivations and truth are. At this time the only thing we can do as catholics is offer prayers both for our sacred and crourageous Pope and the conclave which will be called. Lord Jesus guide the minds and spirits of these humble men who under your guidence will vote for our next Holy Father…
Wow, it’s been a difficult couple of days. I guess I never realized what a trustworthy support Pope Benedict XVI was for Blessed Pope John Paul II, I do believe with all my heart, he will support his successor in the same manner. I can’t help but to wonder, about what his words will reveal in the next two weeks. He is so humble and concise and would never complain on his own behalf, but, I do believe he would lay down everything for Christ and His Church.
Would there ever be a time when teaching authority would remain with an abdicated Pope?
matucker: The emeritus Bishop of Rome, Benedict XVI, for as long as he is in union with the universal magisterium of the Church, will enjoy his authentic teaching office as a bishop, the same as any other bishop in the Church. After the abdication is in effect, and before another successor to Saint Peter is elected, there is no infallible teaching other than what has already been presented along the course of the centuries. Even all the bishops together cannot be infallible if they lack the presence of the bishop of Rome.
Also, he can rescind his abdication until 8:00 PM on the 28th February 2013, but not after. He could be re-elected and, if it is protracted and all the cardinals are throwing tantrums after being dead-locked, he could accept.
The question would then be, does he come back as Benedict XVI or XVII or another name?