As we approach the feast day of St.
Francis of Assisi, the 13th century son of a wealthy Italian cloth
merchant, who abandoned his father and his wealth and founded the Franciscan
Order of Friars, the Poor Clares order for women and the Third order of
Franciscans for men and women, married and single, it is fitting that we
reflect on the visit to the United States by Pope Francis. Francis takes his
name from this Saint who lived a life of simplicity, poverty and humility as he
followed Jesus’ call to “rebuild His Church.”
I believe first off that the Pope’s
visit to the United States opened the eyes and hearts of many Americans to God’s
presence in the world, to the presence of the Holy Spirit. I believe this is
true whether one is Catholic or Protestant, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu as well as
many other persons who believe in a creator or creative power. I even sense
that some unbelievers are impressed with the Pope’s presence, ministry and
message in the world.
I am excited that Pope Francis spent
five days in the United States, that he visited the centers of political,
financial and spiritual power in our country. I agree with the Pope on parts of
his message such as climate change and the dangers of unbridled capitalism, and
disagree with other parts such as the blessing of same sex relationships, and
while I am not a fan of abortion, I do believe it is a woman’s decision and not
the church’s or the government’s decision. I doubt that any person agrees with
all that the Pope believes about politics, religion and the world.
What excites me about Francis’ visit
is that, like Jesus, he does not let the opinions or the actions of others
prevent him from proclaiming, by word and action, God’s truth as he understands
it. As he proclaims his truth, his message, many Americans get both excited and
angry, often at the same time. When the Pope talks about Global Warming or the
Economy, and capital punishment liberal Americans feel that he is on their
side. When he preaches against abortion and same-sex marriage, conservatives believe
that he is with them. What excites me in all of this is the Pope’s message that
mercy overcomes sin. The Pope still believes that homosexual relationships
should not be sanctioned by the church but welcomes gay people into the
fellowship. He believes that abortion is a sin, but has instructed his bishops
that women who have abortions can be forgiven.
Like Jesus, the Pope speaks truth to
power and is willing to face the consequences that go with speaking this truth.
“With the power of his humility, he communicated the message of the gospel that
speaks not only to our inward spiritual needs, but also to the sociopolitical
realities of our daily lives. His message challenged both conservatives and
progressives.”(Carlos Malave, Sorjourners)
In his historic visit to Congress,
Pope Francis declared, among other things:
“The fight against poverty and hunger
must be fought constantly and on many fronts, especially its causes.
“Our efforts must aim at restoring
hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments, and thus promoting the
well-being of individuals and of peoples.”
“In recent centuries, millions of
people came to this land to pursue their dream of building a future in freedom.
We, the people of this continent, are not fearful of foreigners, because most
of us were once foreigners. I say this to you as the son of immigrants, knowing
that so many of you are also descended from immigrants.”
Not all members of congress agreed
with all the Pope had to say, though he did get an ovation for his proclamation
of the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”(Matthew
7:12) If his visit accomplished no more than the sometimes living of the Golden
Rule by the congress and people of the United States, then we have all been
blessed.
The Pope affirmed at Mass at Madison
Square Garden, that, “knowing that Jesus still walks our streets, that he is
part of the lives of his people, that he is involved with us in one vast
history of salvation, fills us with hope.”
All I can add to this is, “Amen! So
be it!
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