"Someone's Got to be the Pope" Pt. 3

And that someone is Jorge Mario Bergoglio.  Known as “Father Jorge” in his home nation of Argentina, Cardinal Bergoglio is now Pope Francis, the new voice of 1.2 billion Roman Catholics.  The new Pope starts the last job he will have at age 76. I am a big fan of the idea of “finishing well”.  I think everyone should look for some task, some calling in the last years of their lives that allows them to finish their vocational life well.  When we retire from our “day job” we should all have some plan for how we will finish out our years in some service that transforms places or people or both.  I am only 58 as I write this, but as I think about the model of Pope Francis I think there can be no more exciting prospect than at age 76 having the health, physical and mental, to take on the one of the most significant calling of my life.  May God grant us all that grace.

But there is so much more that is important about this story.  I prayed, with billions of others I am sure, that the Holy Spirit would choose someone surprising, someone that would speak well for Christ in this most visible pulpit.  I think that prayer was answered.  A friend said to me that with the eyes of the world trained on the Vatican balcony, there would be no better opportunity to glorify God, to show that the Spirit is active and the Word is alive.  Consider this: the man took the bus instead of his limo back to his hotel. The man cut back the “adoration” of his former peers so he could get the throngs waiting to see him out of the rain sooner rather than later.  The ancient prophet Micah (6:8) asks what the LORD requires of us, and the answer is: (1) to act justly-check; (2) to love mercy-check; (3) to walk humbly with your God-check.  Really, look at the background of Pope Francis and how can you not see that this is a man of God who is a model for all leaders of God’s people.  He gave up a palace for an apartment while living in Argentina.  He chose the name of a saint who renounced wealth to serve the poor.  Pope Francis did his ministry by personally visiting working class slums.  He is described by those who know him as having a very strong commitment to social justice.  The man is a sinner saved by grace through faith, but he is a good one.

And, perhaps of even greater significance for me is that he is a Jesuit, a sort of rebel band of priests, described as “powerful and  controversial” by church observers.  The Jesuits are also known for their missionary work, spreading the Good News.  I sense in this man that the Spirit is ready to change the Roman Catholic Church, and  thus, I hope, create openings for ecumenical efforts to fulfill the great prayer of Jesus that his people would be “one” for the glory of God. (John 17:23).  May Jesus’ prayer be ours.