One Witness

I have spent the last eight days thoroughly enjoying our newest granddaughter. Our days have revolved around the simple acts of life- snuggles, bottles, and more diaper changes than I care to count. All the while, I have been watching the world respond to the death of one man. For 1.4 billion people, Pope Francis was their spiritual leader. To the world, Pope Francis was the Head of State for the sovereign nation state known as Vatican City. From his position as a religious and political leader, he repeatedly called the faithful and the world to peace and justice. On Saturday, over 250,000 people gathered in Rome to celebrate his life, with the world watching on their screens. Even Aljazeera- the prominent Arabic news outlet- commented on the celebration of Pope Francis’ life- “impressed to hear people singing in harmony… with people of many different nationalities speaking in one voice of love and prayer.” At the same time, one member of the United States Congress celebrated not the life, but rather the death of Pope Francis, posting on X- “Today, Evil has been defeated by the hand of God.” What a fascinating contrast.

Now the world waits as 135 Cardinals gather in Rome for the Conclave. For the last 800 years, the Roman Catholic Church has selected their leader through the voting of her Cardinals. True to form, Vegas has set up gambling odds on who the next Pope will be, inviting the faithful, the curious, and the addicted to place their bets in anticipation of the choice of the Conclave. I am not a betting person, but I do believe in prayer. So today I join my brothers and sisters in prayer for the selection of the next Pope, that the one chosen would continue Francis’ legacy of compassion- speaking for those who have no voice; his legacy of stewardship- caring for the earth that our children will inherit; his legacy of justice- valuing every life as one created in the Image of God.

As we wait, I offer two quotes that Francis shared with the world:
Rivers do not drink their own water;
Trees do not eat their own fruit;
The sun does not shine on itself,
And flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves.
Living for others is a rule of nature.
We are all born to help each other.
No matter how difficult it is…
Live is good when you are happy;
But much better when others are happy because of you.
-Anonymous

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
-Prayer of St. Francis