Pope Francis was named Time magazine’s Person of the Year this morning. So perhaps today would be a good time to reflect just a bit about the man, who when asked “Who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?” responded, “I do not know what might be the most fitting description…. I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner.” We need to step outside of the temporal political concerns of society at large and ask where the Holy Father is attempting to lead us. I think it’s a very simple program. Time to pause and go back to the source:
“I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”. The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms. Now is the time to say to Jesus: “Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace”.”
Indeed this re-proposing of Our Lord Jesus Christ is the heart of Francis’s message. Just as it was at the heart of Benedict’s and John Paul the Great’s and on back through the centuries to Peter himself. But somehow the simple and forceful directness of Francis is making the world take notice. Perhaps some only see in a mirror darkly and project what they wish to see or hope to see, or even fear to see of Christ’s Church and his Vicar. And yet there will also be those who will encounter or re-encounter Him we joyfully wait for in Advent.
V. Let us pray for Francis, our Pope.
R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make
him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the
will of his enemies. [Ps 40:3]
Our Father, Hail Mary.
O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look
mercifully upon Thy servant Benedict, whom Thou hast chosen
as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we
beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify
those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the
flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Sunday, May 3rd, 2014
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