Who Needs It?
Pope Francis recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of his election as Pope. I came across an interview that was done by Italian Swiss Radio and Television. Let me share a couple of items from that interview.
Many people describe you as the Pope of the least. Is that how you feel?
It is true that I have a preference for those who are discarded, but that does not mean that I discard others. The poor are Jesus’ favorites. But Jesus does not send the rich away.
Jesus asks that everyone be brought to his table. What does this mean?
It means that no one is excluded. When the guests did not come to the feast, He said go into the roads and invite to the banquet whomever you find, the sick, the good and the bad, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, everyone. We must not forget this: the Church is not a home for some, it is not selective. The holy faithful people of God are: everyone.
I also came across some tributes that were paid to Pope Francis by other leaders within the Church. For example, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who was born and grew up in Ireland, is the head of the Vatican office that deals with Laity, Family and Life. Cardinal Farrell was asked:
How would you describe the transformation in the Church brought about by Pope Francis during these ten years of pontificate?
I think Pope Francis’ greatest achievement has been to show us how to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To me, that is it. He will be remembered for that, and teaching us all that we need to go out to the peripheries. That means we have to go out of our own comfort zone and engage with people. Pope Francis is the person most looked to, to teach us how the world should live. Do we listen to him? No. But he has opened up the arms of the Church to embrace the whole world, not just the Catholics, and not just the good Catholics who go to church. All Catholics. All people. Nobody’s excluded. And to me, that is the great thing that Pope Francis has taught us in these ten years.
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In the Gospel stories about Easter, we are told that when the risen Jesus first encounters the disciples, who out of fear are in a locked room, he says to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” We should note, however, that this message is not intended only for the Apostles in that day, or the bishops and priests in our day. It’s a message for all Christians. A message that Jesus is risen! A message that the one they tried to silence could not be contained in a tomb, could not be imprisoned by death, a message that, just as he is risen, so we are meant for eternal life with God. This is the astounding message of Easter. Jesus Christ is risen! And that changes everything.
Who is this message for? Who needs Easter? As Pope Francis has spent the last ten years reminding us: Everybody. The whole world, which has so much rotten news, needs a word of hope. Those who, as Francis teaches, tend to be cast aside, neglected, considered second-class, deemed unnecessary: they need to hear it the most.
Here’s where Easter has a practical impact in our lives, an opportunity to make it real, concrete: Can you think of anybody who needs encouragement? Can you think of anybody who feels abandoned? Can you think of anybody who is overwhelmed by their problems and struggles? Please, don’t leave them out in the cold.
But really, all of us are in the same boat. There are times when all of us sin, fall short, and disappoint ourselves and others. We all need to be uplifted. We all need to know that someone cares and that we are loved. We all need to know that we are precious in God’s sight. We all need the message of Easter!
But the point is: if you get it, then share it. If you feel encouraged, bring encouragement to someone who is despairing. If you feel forgiven and whole again, offer forgiveness to someone who needs to be freed. If you believe that you will rise to eternity with Jesus Christ, bring that message, bring Easter, to someone who is bowed down, suffering, in pain, or living in fear. Easter is for everyone. No one must be left out!