AN AMERICAN WELCOME

We had company last week.  Pope Francis came to see us and Americans poured out to hear him.

The reactions to his visit were all over the board; some were surprised at what he said and others were surprised at what he didn't say (such as not comforting the Christians who have lost everything in the Middle East).

The Argentine Pope also did not say "Jesus"...or refer to Scripture except in his address to Congress, when he spoke of "the Golden Rule".  That lead someone to call it the "Sermon on the Hill" (rather than "Sermon on the Mount").  Instead, Pope Francis seemed to live out in actions the famous quote from his namesake to "preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words".

Either way, it was gratifying to see people "reach out" for the love of Christ as seen in this compassionate man with cute expressions.

There are always the enterprising souls who figure out how to make money.  On NYC streets, these bobbleheads were said to sell for $50.









Others went over the edge into a weird kind of worship.

After the Pope left the podium in Congress, Rep. Bob Brady (Democrat, Pennsylvania) went up and swiped the glass of water that the Pope had used.

Rep. Brady drank from it and gave some to his wife, then saved the rest to sprinkle on his grandchildren.

The news put the Pope squarely in the spotlight all week, giving him access to millions.  It was a rare opportunity when so many had spiritually attentive ears.  Such receptivity was tailor-made for the reason Christ left His church on earth...so that we could be net-casters, throwing out the message that explains how to go home.

Washington, D.C.

Madison Square Garden, NYC

Philadelphia

The theme of religious liberty came up first at the White House and then often, with the Pope following up on that by visiting the Little Sisters of the Poor.  He stated "Religious freedom is not just a matter of thought or private devotion.  It is the freedom to live - both privately and publicly - according to the ethical principles that are a consequence of the truth found."

The Pope is a soldier for the sanctity of life and he defended traditional values and spoke often of protecting the institution of marriage in a day when it is in danger (a veiled reference to gay marriage).  He showed humility and compassion as he met with victims of the priest sex scandals.

There were also political statements about things besides the gospel. Pope Francis spoke of global warming and the environment, two subjects on which people of good will may disagree.

We remember it was Pope John II who apologized 350 years after the church condemned Galileo (link) for what the scientist believed about the Sun and the Earth.

After reading Scripture about the sun moving and the earth standing still, Galileo's mind was challenged about the beliefs of his time.  Years later we know Galileo was right, but he had to recant to save his life from the Inquisitors.  And in the end it was the church who changed, not Scripture.

A lot was said about the dignity of man and the Pope demonstrated that  concern by serving the homeless and visiting the prisoners.

Can man's dignity be enhanced any more than to see his hope in Christ?  People need to know God dignifies man as He makes man in His image, demonstrates man's worth in the Son's volunteer mission to exchange His life, and then assures man a place in His family by adopting him and making him joint heirs with Christ.

Poverty was also discussed.  No one advocates doing nothing about poverty, but the gospel goes over poverty's head.  Jesus and his disciples were dirt poor but spiritually rich for eternity.  Any man is rich if he knows the certainty of his future.  One day this blip of time will be over and tables will be turned forever.  Meanwhile, we work to make things better while we are here.  And what is the best partner in that?  A free economy has done more to help people out of poverty than any nation's socialistic redistribution.

It was good to hear the Pope's encouragement to immigrants to be good citizens.  Our country benefits from people who want to assimilate and join us in this great experiment of liberty.  Indeed, a borderless country throws away the guarantee of liberty which makes us unique.   And just an aside?  The Vatican is considered a city-state and they have a very high wall and very strict borders to preserve their uniqueness.

Pope Francis appears to be a wonderful shepherd who loves people and serves effortlessly.  He gets applause for his humble efforts to contrast the Vatican's opulence with his Fiat ride and living quarters.

Even though the little girl who ran up to him was planned and rehearsed, the Pope's enjoyment of children seems nonetheless genuine.  At seventy-eight, the Lord has blessed him with an incredible strength and perseverance as he  carries out his assignment.

Bottom line?  Now that Pope Francis is gone, if people are still thinking about the papal man rather than the Son of Man...then the spotlight is misplaced.  And while calling people up to good deeds is noble, if his audience assume salvation comes as a result of those acts of mercy, then such an impression can be personally costly.  Why?

The Pope demonstrated kindness, but onlookers might say "I'm just not like that; I don't love people like he does so there's no hope for me."  That's why the kindest thing would be to throw a lifeline by explaining how one comes to God and receives life-change through Christ.