By Mark Azzara
My Dear Friend,
Pope Francis’ whirlwind U.S. visit in September generated enormous media attention – everywhere, it seems, except in this little space. Two months later, as U.S. Catholic bishops gather for their Nov. 16-19 meeting, and just one week before Thanksgiving, I think now might be the time.
I want to publicly thank all the people who helped me become more Christian as a result of hearing what they had to say about his visit. They helped me see the good in it that I would have missed because of the media frenzy that turned him into a momentary idol whose message couldn’t possibly be received in the depth he intended. Or so I thought.
The cynic in me was annoyed by the hysteria. Examples include: a Christian Web site proclaiming that Protestant leaders are on-board with the pope; the U.S. Catholic bishops’ office marketing the “official” T-shirt and rosary of the papal visit; smarmy TV journalists speaking in politically correct somber, restrained tones about the pontiff’s issues rather than his motivation; and responses to Francis’ talks that occasionally got me to wonder if I had even heard him correctly.
Unlike journalists, I don’t pretend that I “get” the pope immediately. The best way for me to digest a message is to sip it, let the taste linger in my heart and mind until it’s slowly absorbed and brings real nourishment. If I had tried to consume the full contents of this massive six-day spiritual feast as it was being dished out I would only have developed the spiritual, intellectual and emotional equivalent of a walloping bellyache.
I only “saw” the real Francis through other people’s eyes. Appearing Sept. 25 on the PBS News Hour, The New York Times columnist David Brooks said many people would be deeply touched after seeing Francis’ humility and his ability to connect with human beings rather than to be sucked into politics. I was moved as Brooks spoke because he seemed on the verge of tears. Brooks reminded me that I must rejoice in the individual victories Jesus scores in people’s lives.
Friends likewise reminded me not to devalue Francis’ visit simply because so many showed up to see him. It wasn’t like they were cheering for a sports hero. I realized very late that most of those who showed up simply wanted to be in the presence of someone who loved them.
Francis knew he had a duty to speak to those in power but he had an even greater desire to embrace and love the individual. And the more lowly the better.
For example, Francis exhorted Congress to address material poverty, but even in their best moments governments can’t touch the spiritual poverty that imprisons all of us. Governments can’t love, in other words. But people can, and Francis gave us innumerable examples of how easy it can be, like visiting a soup kitchen after his congressional address. How many members of Congress have ever done so? How many have ever embraced the needy? Listened to them? Cried with them?
Two guys at a men’s Scripture study talked at length about the pope’s humility. They were blown away by the pope’s participation at the interfaith service at Ground Zero in New York, where his message was simple: Love everyone, no matter their faith, because the same God made all of us.
God calls us to love, and as we let him heal our spiritual poverty we can do that, regardless of what governments or other people do (or don’t do). Love was the underlying motivation of Francis’ remarks and actions. Brooks and my study-group buddies got that message immediately and helped me to see it.
Pope Francis is long gone from America, but his message remains — a message he beautifully reinforced earlier this month in Florence, Italy, and a message I pray the bishops and all the rest of us will take to heart.
In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus says he will judge how well we loved him in this life by how well we clothed, housed and fed the needy – the spiritually needy, not just those with material needs. We can only do that when the pain of those who suffer becomes our pain, too.
Pope Francis isn’t ashamed to embrace that suffering. That was a big part of his message. In the quiet that presages Thanksgiving, the big question is: Will we heed it?
All God’s blessings – Mark
