Pope Francis appeals to me because he speaks about God and our lives as Catholics with words that are fresh and easily understandable. His approach is pastoral, that is, aimed at the ordinary person rather than theological or philosophical. He has the common touch and contacts people spontaneously to respond to their problems when he hears about them. This makes the hearts of many warm to him and disturbs others who think he is lowering the tone and dignity of the Papacy. But his words are full of fresh insights about how we should live our lives and belong to the Church.
In this month of October, traditionally Mission Month, what can I possibly write about 'mission' that might inspire readers the way Pope Francis inspires me? It is a challenge. The first significant thought I write here is really Columban Fr Noel Connolly's wonderful insight that mission belongs to God. God is in charge, I am not in charge, the Church is not in charge, God is.
A feeling of relief sweeps through me. The Church is and has always been the servant of the Spirit of God, and I am a servant of the Church. I don't tell the Church what to do although I play my part within the Church as best I can and the Church doesn't tell the Holy Spirit what to do although my mind goes back to the headline of an article not long after the Vatican Council which stated, The things they made me say – by the Holy Spirit.
Whereas in an earlier time missionaries went out to distant lands to save' savages' or 'pagans', then gradually the truth that God was already there in the cultures before them dawned. It changed the attitudes of many missionaries from a feeling of superiority towards other cultures to a feeling of respect for the depth of religiosity that pervaded their lives. This is, I believe, what the Holy Spirit does. The Spirit of God goes ahead of us and it is difficult to catch up or see the truth that is clearly before us.
Another new understanding caused missionaries a lot of confusion: mission was everywhere. For a missionary society like the Columbans this was hard news and bad news indeed because it seemed to take away our reason for being. But we struggled through and developed a wider and deeper understanding of what mission is.
Blessed Pope John Paul II felt compelled to write an Encyclical, Redemptoris Missio (on the permanent validity of the Church's missionary mandate). Missionaries still cross boundaries of culture and language and geography but we are all equal people before God. This Spirit inspired understanding has led the Catholic Church into becoming a global Church.
But faith in the hearts of people moves on, it has to be fresh. Pope Francis surprises. Recently at an interview his opening words were, 'I am a sinner'. Comparisons with previous popes are odious, but I like to think that we now have this man of God to recall us to a simpler life style and the clergy to a life of service of the people of God.
If faith is caught rather than taught then the most authentic way to promote the Church is by the integrity of our lives. Pope Francis is setting the tone.
Fr Gary Walker
director@columban.org.au
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LISTEN TO: From the Director - The Spirit leads us (Duration: 4.36mins, MP3, 2.10MB) |