I
have to admit that, as I watched the new pope, Francis I, addressing the crowd
last night, I juggled a jumble of emotions – from anger to ecstasy to hope for
a newer world. The anger stemmed from, not only the recent chaotic hypocrisy
revealed by the child molestation scandals, but also from a life-time of
wondering when the church might move past the 3rd century and
address the reality of spiritually parched Catholics all over the world in the 21st
century. We’ve been waiting for a long time.
Like
a lot of people I know, I grew up in a Catholic home and a largely Catholic
community. I call myself a Catholic Taoist because, no matter how hard I try or
how mad I get, I just can’t seem to tell myself that I’m not a Catholic
anymore. Besides, some very nice nuns told me that the word “catholic” really
just means universal. When I go to mass or observe Catholic Feast Days, it is
because it feeds me inside somehow, and not out of any sense of obligation or
duty. As a woman, it is really hard to support an institution that discounts me
for no logical reason. Jesus never discounted women. He celebrated and honored
us. But, I digress.
The
truth about my faith is that I cannot explain it to you because it is beyond
definition, beyond what I can put into words or pictures, beyond fathom. It is a
mystery, an unspoken blessing; a leap into the unknown and unknowable. For me,
Taoism is the only place where my faith is allowed to be without limits,
without prejudices, without need and without demands, other than those
self-imposed as a measure the self-improvement and enlightenment which results
from devotion and surrender to the Tao. I think whatever helps any individual
to connect to the Spirit is a good thing. Catholicism, at some point, ceased to
be an aid in communing with the Divine for me, and many others, I’m sure.
So
now we have what we might call, “a regular guy,” chosen to lead the world’s
Catholics, Pope Francis I. While I hardly expect the ordination of women any
time soon, there is something special about this man that signals possibilities for reform. He appears to be a true shepherd
of the many, whose most powerful tool is the love of God. Particularly
inspiring was the manner in which he asked the faithful to pray over him, and
ask God’s blessing upon him. The powerful silence of the crowd in their communal
prayer was heard around the world. This man distinguishes himself in announcing
a new set of priorities: the poor, the sick; and all those who live without. Without
food. Without shelter. Without love. Without even being noticed by most of us
as we go about our busy lives.
As
I watched that spectacular sight, on a most historic night, I cried. I miss my
mother a lot, and we would have been on the phone, if not in each other’s
company, sharing this experience. But that wasn’t the only reason I was crying.
I felt something stir within me. Was it my soul leaping for joy? Was it
recognition of a kindred spirit? Or was it a whisper of a wind that brings a
new age? A new era of enlightenment and understanding. Is that possible?
Saint
Francis has always been one of my favorite saints because of his love for
animals and all those who have no voice in our busy world; the poor and
dispossessed. I think it is significant that he chose this saint name; the
first ever to do so. I think it is wonderful that we now have a pope from the
new world, the Americas. The first Latino Pope ever! And a Jesuit! Wow! For a
church that has done things the same way for centuries, this is new. I
have known priests who don’t even consider the Jesuits real Catholics.
Things
are changing. Maybe not fast enough for me, but they are changing, and rapidly.
There are many beautiful spirits about these days, encouraging us to find a new
way to communicate, a new way to govern, a new way to live and a new way to
love one another, as we are all in need of love and forgiveness. From Oprah’s
Super Soul Sunday to Marianne Williamson’s Sister Giant movement, encouraging
more women to, not only run for political office, but to bring their
spirituality with them when they succeed, to Miguel Ruiz’s Toltec wisdom to
Eckhart Tolle’s New Earth; the messengers are everywhere, championing
compassion and respect for each other and for our earth, as we move forward
each day, in creating the world that we so desperately want to see, the
paradise of plenty that is waiting for us.
So
in this moment, the significance of a new focus on prioritizing, rather than
demonizing “the other;” the stranger, the one who is not like us, the meek, who
will one day inherit the earth, is truly a breath of fresh air. Could this pope
be one of the messengers announcing that that day is upon us?
This
possibility turned my anger to ecstasy, and my ecstasy to hope. I hope. I hope.
No comments:
Post a Comment