Thoughts on Choices--Part 3 of 3

The first two parts of my thoughts on choices this week related to my reflections on Robert Frost poems  that could help me consider the choices I have made and will have to continue to make.  The third part s a brief thought on something that Father Sam said at mass on Sunday.  He was once again pointing to the new Pope's actions. He pointed out that the new Pope is apparently not into titles and simply prefers to be referred to as the Bishop of Rome.  He has done many things to demonstrate his interest in the community. He has reached out to the most vulnerable.  And he has called on the church to build community.  

The Bishop of Rome's call to build community within the church and for the church to reach out to the surrounding community in ways that it has not for quite some time is different in many ways from my efforts to build community within the place where I work, and yet there are still similarities.  Within the context of the job I hold, the students are effectively the weakest and most vulnerable.  And my focus is on building a community that will support them.  And as long as I keep my eyes on that, that should guide me to hopeful and helpful actions. 

A Church that is "Poorer"

Fr. Sam made sure to point out at mass on Sunday that the Pope will be going to a juvenile detention center on Holy Thursday to celebrate mass and wash feet.  Fr. Sam described this as make our church poorer but richer.  Fr. Same consistently likes to talk about the beatitudes and this is like something straight out of the beatitudes.  The poorness in this case is poor in spirit.  Meek.  Humble.  The richness comes from the rewards that are promised for those who follow in the ways outlined by Jesus in the beatitudes.  I know I am one of many who hopes that this is a sign of more to come from our new Pontiff.  

A Thought Provoking Comment from the Pope

The Pope made the comments I am about to quote (found at http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301200.htm) several days ago as the link is dated March 15.  The quote of interest to me this morning is:

One "curiosity," the pope noted, is that the Holy Spirit is a sort of "apostle of Babel" that creates the differences in the church.

But on the other hand, he said, it's the same Holy Spirit that "unites these differences, not in equality but in harmony," by focusing everyone's different gifts on the adoration of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Why do I find this interesting?  I know that many people seem to feel that all masses should be the same.  Or that all children should act the same during mass.  And yet, even the Pope refers to differences that are okay as long as everyone is focusing on adoring the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  So, by this account it is okay that people show up in different clothes, sing different songs, and even have different levels of solemness as long as we all have a respect for God, a belief in God, and try to live in a way that shows our adoration for God.  This could be a great goal for all congregations as set by the Pope using reference to a story that is usually perceived as negative when reading the Old Testament and turning it into a positive.  

Homily from the Heart and Mind

When I read about the new Pope's first homily it made a big impression on me.  I don't even recall the topic, and years from now I am sure I will not.  What I recall is the fact that it was described as a homily without notes.  This is in contrast with the last Pope who had a three page homily written in Latin.  While sometimes, speeches "off the cuff" or "direct from heart and mind" are not the best way to go (as my middle son on Friday night found out when he was working from notes at a 4-H speech competition and was told his prepared speech sounded a bit too informal), the fact that the new Pope would have the confidence and comfort to do that is something I respect quite a bit!  As for my son's presentation, I was actually quite impressed with how well he did with just notes since I love to lecture that way, but not all judges think the same way.  

A Few More Thoughts on the New Pope

The new Pope seems theologically conservative.  I don't expect to see a change in the church's stands on contraception, ordination of women, marriage for priests, same ses marriage, etc.  But he is described as a person who does not put himself above others.  He asked for the congregation to pray for him before he blessed them.  He took Francis as a name--in honor of someone who gave up riches to lead a simple life.  He took public transit back in Argentina.  He cooked for himself.  He followed soccer.  He is reported to get up at 4:30 AM.  It seems that his focus may be more on social justice issues--which is a lot of what Jesus focused on in his teachings.

So, while I may still have some views that diverge with the church and the pontiff, I believe that there is a strong possibility that I will feel a greater connection.  That I could imagine myself getting to know this Pope.  If we go back to the description of some presidential candidates past--I could imagine sitting and having a drink with him in ways that would have been hard to imagine with other recent Popes.

Yes, he is 76.  As a result, his tenure as Pope is not likely to be the longest.  But perhaps given what I have mentioned above and all the "firsts" about this Pope, it is a sign of a different focus to come.  We shall see.  

The New Pope

The new Pope chose the name Francis.  Francis of Assisi was a man of humility.  

According to news reports, the new Pope has spent quite a bit of his ministry working with the poor.  When I read this, it made me think of a song that has been sung for years in the Catholic church, "The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor".  It is a much more mournful song that most of what the worship band with which I play sings.  And of all the things about our worship band I have to say that the fact that most of what we sing is about worship and praise and so little is mournful has always been something that has not sat quite right.  There is a lot to be sorrowful about--in readings, in the world, etc.  And sometimes even the music ministry needs to reflect that.  Yes, we reflect it during Lent and Holy Thursday.  But that is not the only time of the year to mourn.

In any case,  the title of the song is related to Psalm 34 verse 7 and there are signs of other verses (like 2 and 3) in the verses.  It is a reminder (to borrow from the footnote at the end of the Psalm on the US Conference of Catholic Bishops website) that the "defenseless" can rely on God.  It is also a reminder as we read the rest that the defenseless (i.e., poor) may find it easier to rely on God.  

Finally, it is a useful reminder of how much the mission of the church and its members is supposed to be to ease the suffering of the poor and defenseless and what types of ministries the new Pope will focus on and encourage.