Today is the second Sunday of Easter. It is also known as Divine Mercy Sunday.
The big news in the Church this week, and this year so far, is the death of Pope Francis. I’m a fan of Francis. When I think of him the one characteristic that comes to mind is mercy. You might remember in 2015 he declared an Extraordinary Jubilee Holy Year of Mercy. He began the Bull of Indiction announcing that year by writing “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy.” Here is a link to the Bull if you want to read it in it’s entirety: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/bulls/documents/papa-francesco_bolla_20150411_misericordiae-vultus.html
Francis was sometimes a polarizing figure among certain Catholics but, I think, the role of the pope is to challenge us and get us out of our comfort zone sometimes. We Americans largely bristled when he made comments about capitalism but, truth be told, I’ll bet most of us have seen a dark side to capitalism at some point in our lives. Francis was willing to love us while still challenging us from time to time.
Francis was clearly a man of the people. He said no to the trappings of royalty, like the Apostolic Palace and the red shoes, and held those on the margins close to him. Who can forget him washing and kissing the feet of those in prison during that Holy Week. And he included prisoners of various faith traditions, not just Christian, and not just men.
One of the things about Francis that I think rightfully gave some of us heartburn was his synodal way of dealing with issues that we all believed were “settled law”, such as deaconate ordination for women, priestly celibacy, etc. I think Francis felt it was important for people to feel heard by their Church even if he knew, in the end, what some of the people wanted would never change. That caused confusion. I’m not against being a listening Church. I think we need to be that. I just think the leaders of the Church need to be careful with their language so as to not give people reason to think that something we feel is not changeable could be changed.
In the end I believe the Holy Spirit gives us the pope we need at a particular time in our history and I believe we needed Francis in 2013.
We’ll see how the Holy Spirit leads the Cardinal Electors when the Conclave begins. I hope you’ll join me in praying for the Holy Spirit to pour Himself out on those Electors and that they will be receptive to His urgings.
I also hope you’re continuing to pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. I’m grateful for his loving and merciful way of leading our Church. I think I’m a better Christian because of him.
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading.
I hope you have a great week.
Peace, Bob
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