Passing the papal baton

When King David was old and advanced in years, though they covered him with blankets he could not get warm... -- I Kings 1:1 (NAB)

As I prayed about Pope Benedict's resignation in our Adoration Chapel, a situation recorded in Scripture came to mind. It's something that I blogged about last year when considering Elijah-Elisha pairs in Scripture, so I'll simply summarize it here.

King David's health had declined significantly, yet he had not yet passed the scepter to his son Solomon, the one who the Lord had made clear was to be his successor. David's failure to act almost resulted in a disaster as one of his other sons plotted to seize the throne. Although the parallel is not exact, it shows what can happen when a person who has been given authority by God holds onto that authority beyond the point at which he should pass it to another.

So is the Holy Spirit simply prompting Pope Benedict to pass the baton (or the papal crozier, as the case may be) now in order to avoid some future disaster? Only the Lord knows for sure. But as we consider the actions of the Pope in these days, it is something to keep in mind and prayer, especially as we pray for the next Pope and the Cardinal Electors who will select him.