Pope Francis homily at the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

 I think Pope Francis has preached a lovely homily at Pope Emeritus Benedict's funeral this morning. The full text is here, at the Vatican website: Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis. 

One can see in the homily Pope Francis practice of adopting "three words" or phrases to structure a homily. And, though Pope Francis expresses himself in a general way about the experience of one who is a pastor, he has clearly reflected on that experience in the light of the life of Pope Emeritus Benedict. 

I was particularly struck by the number of occasions on which Pope Francis referred to the hands of the Father, in one instance citing Pope Emeritus Benedict. As the funeral took place during the Christmas season, I was reminded of the image of the Christ child in the crib, lying with extended hands. That image of the extended hands of the Infant Jesus formed the motif of a meditation by St Edith Stein. I can't find the text at the moment, but can find an adaptation of it that I used for a visit to the crib during Christmas time several years ago.

A prayer for a visit to the Crib during Christmas time

[This prayer was adapted from a meditation of St Edith Stein]

Dear Jesus, your hands reach out to us as we come to the Crib.
We come like the shepherds who followed the call of the angel.
We come like the wise men who followed the star.
“Follow me” say your little hands.

May we always listen to you when you call us.
Keep us together in faith and in hope.
Dear Jesus, your open hands welcome us, and they ask us at the same time.
They ask us to be at the service of your Peace.

Open our hearts to people who are suffering.
May each of us offer signs of friendship and welcome to people who are less well off than us.
Dear Jesus, your open hands welcome us, and they ask us at the same time.
They ask us to give our lives to you.

May we choose the way in life that you want us to follow.
In the light of Christmas, may we face the problems of life today, together with people of other Churches and religions.
Mary, you are the Mother of Love.
You praised the great things done by the Lord.
You sang about how God kept his promises to the people of Israel.

Mother of Love, protect our families.
Help them to stay together.
Give them the happiness of loving and passing on life.