My hero, our world's only great leader (as far as I am concerned), Pope Francis died early morning, Rome time, this Monday past, 21st April. It was Easter Day.
When I heard the news, I just felt numb. There then followed an avalanche of articles on Francis - far too many for any one person to absorb. One article, I read, quoted a theologian, I follow, saying that Francis' greatest writing was "Amoris Laetitia". I thought - Really? But I trusted this theologian and so I decided to read again this work of Francis. What did I discover?
I discovered a true gem that I had never allowed myself to behold. On the same day that I read it, I observed three people in my sphere of influence, separately playing games with life, maybe playing me. They were just not being real with me. As I read Francis, his advice was to let them be, show them love and let them grow in their own way. Don't berate them. Rather, embrace them and so, don't play games.
Then I further read Francis' giving us the primary rule for life - the via caritas. He named this as the first law for the Christian life, with the primary pastoral principle for living this life as being pastoral mercy. He highlighted that there is ever the ideal, the vison to be upheld, but always allow for people's fragility, failings and sinfulness, as well as mine. Never forget there is ever God's mercy. So be kind, don't play games with each other.
This was mind-blowing stuff for me. Do we ever get it? How often do we taker it seriously? Do we keep playing those childish games with each other or do we follow life's way of charity? Do I?
Thank you, Francis. You have been a light to my world and now you can embrace our world ever more closely. God keep you and love you for all eternity.
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