Rewired for the Journey

  This passed week, I went into my annual physical with the doctor, and he came in and opened up his folder and said, "Oh, you are sixty-five and you should get a Wellness Check, not a physical today." Well, please do not spoil me, doctor! I had to fill out about a dozen pages of questions about my everyday life. Then it was you need a pneumonia shot and read these papers about whether you want to be resuscitated back to life. You are getting older, he told me, and changes start to happen, you may not notice! The whole process really felt like "65 prepare to die!" It has bothered me all week. In the past five years, I have been seeing changes and not all of them I like. But living in the silence of these changes have not been a pleasant experience. My phone has become deafeningly quiet. I find a nap comes not for pleasure but out of necessity. I forget to pull my zipper up after a visit to France (wee-wee). I get so stiffened up that it hurts after sitting too long ...

  I have been on pins and needles waiting for a new Pope. I have been watching news on live streams and media news on the computer. The first ballot did not surprise me when there was black smoke coming from the installed chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Then, when I woke up the next morning to find there had already been a second vote that ended with black smoke again from the chimney, I just sighed. I went about my day, and when I got home in the early afternoon, I was about to get into the shower when white smoke appeared! Three votes and we had a new Pope! Historically, we had an American Pope for the first time in the history of the Catholic Church. It was exciting, and I believe he will represent the Church for the good. Time will tell if I am right. Leo 14th will have millions praying over him in the coming days. He is a big believer in sharing Jesus with love with everyone. I hope we will not be afraid to do just that for the world's and humanity's betterment.

  The odd thing that happened was that twenty-four hours after we joined the Catholic Church, the Pope died, Pope Francis. I felt sad about this event, even though I did not feel a close connection to Pope Francis like I did to Pope John Paul II whom I really liked a lot. I took John Paul as my Saint name because I like Pope John Paul II and felt a connection with him. So, as I start this new journey from Protestant to Catholic, I will also start with a soon-to-be new Pope. I have been praying for the Conclave each day to be guided by the Holy Spirit, and I am hoping for a very Holy Spirit-filled new Pope. I have no guesses as to who it will be for, I will leave that to God and the Conclave. I have to say I am anxious for the new Pope. The world and the Church need a strong, understanding, kind, and insightful Pope who can inspire the Church, clergy, and people outside the church. A Pope who is respected for who he is and not just for his title. May the Lord be with him in all ways...