Who is Pope Francis?

               Recently, I was invited to speak with a reporter of a major newspaper about Pope Francis.  It gave me the opportunity to think about my thoughts of Pope Francis and his papacy.  Initially, I must say that thinking about Pope Francis makes me miss Pope Benedict.  I miss his writings and his German accent and his very logical and thoughtful way of teaching me about why I believe what I believe. 

               Because of where I am in my faith journey, I am paying much more attention to the early homilies, writings and talks of Pope Francis than in the early days of Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy.  I didn’t really have a sense of who Pope Benedict was until he visited Washington DC in 2008.

               The reference of Pope Francis in Mass no longer jars and I recognize his face.  I find many important similarities between our 265^th and 266^th Popes.  They both have a great love and dedication to Mary, the Mother of God, seeing her as the perfect creature.  They try to imitate her humility and ask for her protection.  They have deep, intimate relationships with Jesus and pray often, perhaps almost constantly to the Holy Spirit for guidance in all that they do.  And they have a deep desire for all souls to be saved, and for all to know and understand the peace that comes with putting God first.

               Of course there are many differences.  Pope Francis is a man who has been working in the trenches who has now been called to lead the Roman Catholic Church.  I can only admire the way his has decided to continue to live simply even within the Vatican walls.  Unlike Pope Benedict, who was a professor and a writer, I see Pope Francis as a man who is more comfortable with conversation and intent on conversion of those with whom he comes into contact. 

               He sees each individual, not with a label, but as a person created uniquely by God for a specific purpose. My sense is that there is urgency in his life to bring each person with whom he has contact closer to God.  He has that burning desire for salvation of souls and that is what is driving his Pontificate, not protocol or procedure.

               Because of his work in the trenches, he understands the corporeal works of mercy as being essential to the spread of the Gospel.  He recognizes that reaching out to the poor, elderly, disabled, homeless and “getting our hands dirty”[i] is an essential part of our salvation. (“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”)[ii]   

               It has only been six months since he began this journey as Pontiff and I am inclined to watch and learn, not jump to conclusions or judge.  Who is Pope Francis?  I don’t yet know, but he is challenging me on this journey.  Look for more thoughts from the interview in future blogs.

              

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[i] From Pope Francis’ Tweet on Sept 13 - #PopeFrancis: want to help the poor? don't be afraid to get your hands dirty

[ii] James 2:26

The Cord of Compemplation

In this month of the rosary, I was to share with you this beautiful poem by my Dominican Brother Peter Joseph Gautsch O.P.  It was originally published at dominicanablog.com.  You can subscribe to the blog to receive a daily essay - thought and occasional poem written by the men who are in formation to be the next generation of the Order of Preachers.  Enjoy!

The Cord of Contemplation

Barren beads in fumbling fingers of fools, fallen, absurd,
in crazed haze of word after empty word:
pitiful piety brings no aid,
naught but far-fetched fancies made
to deceive naïve nuns, whose prayers, never heard,
would be better, too, never prayed.

Can it be? Surely Truth tricks not, nor can disdain
pleas of hearts heavy, weak with pain
and sorrow—for well He knows
it, bore it, and for my sake chose.
Her heart, too, racked, rent with His, yet by the Cross remains—
ever full of grace, now on her children to flow.

O Mary, Mary, maiden yet Mother, most blessèd!
Faithful Virgin, and fruitful! when thy Fiat confessèd:
to thee, in haste, I fly,
under thy mantle to hide, to lie:
as Jesus—newborn babe, then mangled man—on thy breast rested,
dear Mother, so may I!

And how happy, having striven, failed, re-striven,
strength strainèd, sin-stainèd, am I, who live in
grace (and not the Law to bear),
in Habit, and on cincture wear
that cord, of Mystic Rose to Rose of Patience given,
that ever-efficacious prayer!

She, Queen of angels, heaven, and Preachers proclaimed,
New Eve, inviolate, of all women most famed,
Mater omnium, digna prædicari,
et Regina sacratissimi rosarii,
Life, Sweetness, Hope, is named:
Gratiam tuam, Mater mea, gaudeo contemplari!

O Mary, be a Mother to me now, protect and pray
for your poor child, exiled, to see dawn of eternal day:
thy sweet succor swiftly bring,
that I, life and light diminishing,
be found faithful—and then, lasting Life living, I may
the praises of thy Son with thee ever sing.

"Dressing up as Christ"

               I have been listening to C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity in my car.  Today, I listened to “Let’s Pretend”, Chapter 7 in Beyond Personality.  Mere Christianity is a compilation of a series of radio commentaries.  It actually encompasses four books that were published separately in the 1940’s.

               The topic of this chapter touches on something that I have recently thought about in relation to my Christian growth.  And it gives me some insight to why my list of sins has shifted over the years of frequent confession. 

               In “Let’s Pretend”, Lewis writes, “But there is the good kind (of pretending), where the pretense leads up to the real thing. When you are not feeling friendly but know you ought to be, the best thing you can do is to put on a friendly manner and behave as if you were a nicer person than you actually are. And in a few minutes, we have all noticed, you will really feel friendlier than you were.  Often the only way to get a quality in reality is to start behaving as if you had it already. . . .

               “Now, the moment you realize ‘here I am, dressing up as Christ,’ it is extremely likely that you will see at once some way in which that very moment of pretense could be made less of a pretense and more of a reality. . . . You see what is happening. The Christ Himself, the Son of God who is a man (just like you) and God (just like His Father) is actually at your side and is already at that moment beginning to turn your pretense into a reality.”

               As I confess my sins, often my list is similar from time to time.  I keep a list of the sins I confess and the confessor in the back of my journal.  Recently, I have thought that over time the list of sins had changed a great deal.  In looking back over that list, I knew I was onto something.  That indeed, something was changing inside me that allowed me to more introspective and honest.

               Then, hearing Lewis this week, I could only think, “That’s it!”  As I try to be a poor imitator of Christ, the Lord is working within me to help me become more Christ like.  I am more aware of my selfishness and pride, leading me to confess more and more specific sins and to realize that I am making some progress toward becoming a better person.

               I am grateful for the Lord’s work in me and will continue to play “Let’s Pretend”, trying to dress up as Christ.  If you have not read Mere Christianity recently, think about delving into the thoughts of this wise convert to Christianity. It time would be well spent.

Where Can I Find Jesus?

               This summer, over a three week period, I traveled all over the country.  As a daily communicant, I found Jesus in a plethora of sacred and beautiful places.  In my journeys, I encountered the “One Holy, catholic and apostolate church” in all of its diversity and variety and yet it’s consistency.

               In Los Angeles, I joined the more the 70 daily worshipers at the 6:30 am mass at St. Justine Martyr Church.  It is the closest church to Disneyland!  The parishioners who attend this mass greet each other with love before and after mass.

               On our way to the airport for an overnight flight, we stopped at St. Anthony of Padua in Long Beach.  The mosaic artwork was striking in this place of worship.  Father Jose gave a beautiful homily and from what I could gather, the church has claimed a four or five square block area of Long Beach and provides services for the elderly, poor, unemployed and other wise needy.

               Back at my home base of St. Bernadette in Silver Spring, I gave thanks to God for this wonderful parish and the excellent music.  My second “home” parish is St. Michael's and I appreciate the simplicity of this church and its beautiful statue of St. Michael.  The statue reminds me that we are not alone on this earth.

               My third home parish is the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the grounds of Catholic University.  It is across the street from one of my clients and I am often able to go to their 8 am mass in the Crypt Church.  Surrounded by beautiful stone work and dozens of images of Mary, the Mother of God, it is always a treat to celebrate the Eucharist in “Mary’s House”.

               I also attend the 9:30 mass at St. John the Evangelist and spent time after in their perpetual adoration chapel.  It is a modest chapel, but Jesus is there just the same!

               In Saint Louis, I worshiped at St. Monica’s in a St. Louis suburb.  I happened to be there for the mass that opened the school year for the teachers.  It is another warm and welcoming community.

               A real treat was the opportunity to attend mass at the Basilica Cathedral of St. Louis.  This is the “new” cathedral which is over 100 years old.  The ceilings and chapels are a feast of mosaic work illustrating events from the Bible.  My favorite is one that shows Jesus, newly risen with Mary Magdalene falling to her knees without stretched arms shouting “raboni”.  Well, I couldn’t hear words, but the art clearly detailed this event.

               While I didn’t attend mass at St. Cronan in downtown Saint Louis, we had a tour of this modest church that began as a barn!

               While in New Jersey, at the Catholic Writers Conference, I had the pleasure of attending mass celebrated by well known priests Fr. Andrew Apostole and Father Donald Calloway. Mass in a hotel ballroom is always a little awkward, but the Eucharist is there!

               Finally, at home on Sunday, I celebrated mass with my Third Order Dominican Community at the Dominican House of Studies.  The chapel has the feel of an old world chapel.

               Three weeks, ten different churches and yet I am able to celebrate the same mass in every place.  Each place celebrates the same liturgy.  And in every place, I can find Jesus!

A Birthday Reflection

               Today, I turn 56 years old.  I shake my head and wonder how it can be that my life is advancing so quickly.  Last year, turning 55 felt shocking as it seemed like I had just turned 50 and that meant that I would be 60 before I knew it.  So how have I changed in the past year?

               Slowing the pace of the day – Although the weeks and months continue to fly by at a rapid pace, I find pleasure and joy in the average moments of each day.  Whether it is a conversation with my husband, something my son tells me, a few minutes catching up with a friend or time to ponder a prayer from the mass or office, I find myself appreciating these everyday encounters.  And while I still enjoy looking forward to celebration of big holidays and vacations, I am finding more joy in daily life.

               Wanting less and feeling like I have more – This past year has brought to me an urgency to simplify my life by divesting myself of so much of the “stuff” that we have accumulated.  Even before we made the decision to move, I wanted to sell the large house we own and find a smaller place to live.  That will now happen as we make the move to Missouri in 2015.  Now, I am finding that I want to fill that empty guest room.  We have the space, so how can we share the space with others?

               Accepting the inevitability of aging – Rather than aggressively combating the aging process, I’m happy to find peace in it.  I desire to take better care of my body and to be active.  That occasional nagging in my knee or ache in my hands helps to remind me that this is not my true home.

               Carpe Diem – Finding new adventures and taking risks is a surprising twist in this middle aged life.  I expected things to be fairly routine and perhaps boring in my 50s.  Instead, I find that God has me filling my brain with philosophy and theology that I missed in my formal education.  He has me stretching out my hands in ways that I would not have imagined a few years ago.  Seizing the day is the routine activity!

               In my 56^th year, I have found peace and growth, both due to my increased love for God.  Through His sacraments, especially Eucharist and Confession, I find that the Holy Spirit is able to guide me and that I am more willing to follow His precepts. Pope Francis recently remarked that the Sacraments are not magic, but frequent reception of communion and use of reconciliation has incrementally changed me into a woman who cannot live without God.

              

               What more could I asked on my 56^th birthday?

"Stretch out your hand"

              Congress is considering significant cuts in the food stamp program.  Our bishops and many Catholic social service organizations, including Catholic Charities and St. Vincent de Paul are urging Congress to leave the program intact.  Although I understand the reasoning for the need for food stamps, my conservative political view balks at the basic tenants of the program and my Christian world view balks at designating the government as the primary provider for the poor.

               It is my impression that the food stamp program is bureaucratic, expensive, devoid of human dignity and riddled with fraud.  Having spent most of my professional life in the non-profit world, I find it difficult to support this enormous program when those federal dollars could be much more effectively by local hunger groups who would deliver food in a caring, human environment.  Many of these groups are secular, but many are faith based. 

               The monthly food card provides temporary nourishment for the body.  Food received from a food bank also provides nourishment and the human touch.  As an example, Meals on Wheels provides that temporary nourishment along with human contact.  For many seniors, the highlight of their day is the person who brings the food. 

               And then there are the faith based organizations that provide food, clothing and shelter, accompanied by the loving and saving words of Jesus.  Catholic Charities in DC now has a program called “A Cup of Joe” that provides breakfast in DC and it is served by volunteers who can look the recipients in the eye and greet them as a son or daughter of God.

               What is lacking in these options is the individual who reaches out and does the corporeal works of mercy in his or her neighborhood or community. As a society, even Christians have become so used to giving money to organizations, or depending on government to provide for the poor that we are no longer directly involved in the corporal works of mercy. 

               In the Psalms, there are numerous references to “stretching out our hands” to God. Recently the daily Gospel reading was from Luke 6:6-11.  In it Jesus cures a man by asking him to “stretch out your hand”.  Saint Ambrose in his Commentary on Luke writes: “Stretch out your hand often by doing favours for your neighbor, by protecting from harm one who suffers under the weight of calumny; stretch out your hand to the poor man who begs from you; stretch out your hand to the Lord, asking for pardon for your sins.  This is how you stretch out your hand, and this is how you will be cured.”

               How often do I stretch out my hands?  If more people stretched out there hands to the local poor, how much better would our communities thrive? How will God look upon my activity, or lack of it, with the poor on judgment day?

               

Angels at Work

               It was a delightful early fall day twelve year ago as I walked into my office on I Street NW in Washington D.C.  I arrived early to get a jump on a new project.  I had only been working a few minutes when the PR manager came into my office to tell me that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center. 

               “How the hell did that happen,” was my response.  We watched the replays on the TV.  I remember Katie Couric’s shaking voice trying to sort out what happened. And then we saw another plane hit the other tower.  I shook my head and went back to my office, knowing that I would have plenty of time to hear what was happening that night on the news. 

               As a working mom, I didn’t have a lot of flexibility in my day.  I focused on the work that I had to finish. About 45 minutes later, the organizations’ director asked all employees to come into the conference room.  She told us about the plane that crashed into the Pentagon and that all planes were being grounded immediately.  She asked us all of get our personal things and leave the building.  We were to call to our manger when we arrived safely home.

               Cell phones were not working, so used the office phone to call my husband before I left and told him that I was headed home.  Then I called my sister, who worked about six blocks away and told her I would call her when I got home.  She was going to be in the office longer, so she said she would call our mom to let her know of the plans.

               Although the Metro line were running underground out to Maryland, I knew that getting trapped underground with be hell on earth for me, so I opted to walk up Rhode Island Avenue to the first Metro stop that was above ground.  About three blocks into my walk, I heard a woman screaming and weeping.  She was yelling into her phone, one of the towers collapsed and now people are jumping out of the building.

               “Oh dear God, please be with them,” was my prayer.  And as I walked, I had a sudden sense that the people who died that day did not die alone.  I had this image in my mind of the sky being filled with a brilliant light brought by thousands and thousands of angels who were mightily at work that day.  As people jumped there were securely caught by angels who accompanied them, body and soul to the ground and then flew with their souls to the next world.

               I don’t know what the Catholic Church specifically teaches about death and angels, but those images comforted me on that day.  I have the firm convection that as we transition from this life to the next, whether in a sudden, violent death or in one that takes weeks or months, we will not be alone.

               I haven’t ever watched the film footage of people jumping out of that building on that tragic day. In fact, I have not watched footage from that day for years.  I am thankful for the gift of supernatural hope that in death we are accompanied by angelic friends.