Pope Francis, do you really take a bus instead of a
limousine? I have only ridden in a limousine a few times, but I really liked
it! It made me feel special, important, "better than".
Pope Francis, did you really go to the hotel to pay your
bill personally? I like a good “deal”
and would have been so happy to have someone pay the bill for me… and also feel
the “privilege of being special”.
Pope Francis, you resisted the pressure and expectations
that you needed to wear the “special” robes as you went out to meet the people
for the first time as Pope. You chose
the simple white garments and a very simple “wave” as you greeted everyone. I would have loved to put on the garments
that singled me out as “the NEW POPE”, a unique position of power.
Oh, and were you sincere, Pope Francis, when you told your
people in Argentina not to come all of the way to Rome for your installation,
but rather, “Tell the bishops and the faithful to make an offering
and an act of solidarity to the poor with the money instead”? You have already made me think about my
life. Do I need ALL of the clothes in my
closet? How do I seek after “privilege”
in my own life? Why would I want to be
more “special” than someone else?
Pope Francis, something
in my soul rejoiced with all of the angels in Heaven with the simple choices I
have seen so far. They challenged me and
made me uncomfortable, but they quickened hope in my soul that there can be one
among us who loves at a deeper level.
I think that we all
dream of a society that would be more just and more generous, more genuine and
trustworthy. Seeing a glimpse of a man
living these qualities these past few days reminded me of a man who lived and
died so many years ago…centuries ago. It
reminded me of Easter Morning. And my
heart quickens with the realization that you, Pope Francis, are following
Him. And that this gift of discipleship
is a call to each one of us today as it was 2000 years ago.
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