Welcome Pope Francis!

I’m thrilled that I get to be with a group of interfaith leaders heading to Philadelphia for Pope Francis’ visit. God is good. I love Steven Colbert’s nickname for the Holy Father, “Pope Hope.” That is also how I see him. He is an inspiring leader who demonstrates walking-the-talk of his faith. I love reading about his choices to forego many standard papal perks. His well-worn black shoes are a comfort to my heart. He walks with common people and people who suffer or are forgotten, as Jesus once did.

In preparing for this trip, I have had the pleasure of reading a curriculum inspired by the Pope, “Year of Encounter.” People of all faiths, or even no faith, might appreciate the basic messages this study encourages: encountering others who suffer; accompanying them in their suffering; and living with joy in the process. You might wonder how someone could live with joy when they are spending their lives surrounded by suffering or advocating for those who suffer. I’ll try not to get “all Jesus” on you, but I can’t describe this way of living without mentioning his teachings.

First, let me say that I see Pope Francis trying to live this way. I see smile lines in his face - a face that has witnessed much despair. I read that he loves to tango - me too! He enjoys pasta and eating a good meal; he is not constantly fasting and mourning. He appears to be living and enjoying life abundantly.

Yet, he is frugal, driving his Ford Focus and sleeping in a simple bedroom. Is it possible that many of us could be happier with less? Who has time to walk with those who suffer when we each have yards to keep up, vehicles to maintain, and garages to clean out? What actions could give our lives more meaning?

Before heading to America, the Pope made a statement by purchasing some new glasses. He could have selected any frames he wanted, but unlike most of us, he made it clear that his frames were fine; he only needed new lenses. Some people attribute this to his frugality, but I have heard Catholic leaders discussing a deeper meaning for his actions, a shrewd teaching moment, much like Jesus would have done. The Pope was signaling those who think he is out to radically change the church a message about his beliefs. The frames are fine. It is the lenses that need changing.

The basic frame - Jesus’ teachings - are indeed fine, but how they are interpreted or avoided can get distorted over time. The framework of the church, Jesus central teaching, is that he came so that all may have life, and have it abundantly. Pope Francis seems to take the word “all” seriously. He seems especially concerned about those who do not get included in the word “all.” He will be walking with and speaking for people who are caught in our nation’s system of mass incarceration and detention. I believe he will speak about refugees, immigrant families, and the suffering inherent in consumer lifestyles that make it impossible for us to live in harmony with one another.

His messages will likely be challenging, again like Jesus.

While my church and his differ on women preachers, same-sex marriage, and various church doctrines, we have common ground in wanting to live out Jesus’ teachings. I am thrilled that I and 285 interfaith leaders will join with about two million other folks to welcome Pope Francis to the City of Brotherly Love. I pray that after he leaves we may be inspired locally to work together on common ground issues.

The group I am going with is “Faith in Action Kern County.” It is a group open to all people of faith. Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other faith leaders will be participating in a prayer vigil in Philadelphia and again in Bakersfield at Central Park, on Wednesday, Sept. 30th at 6:30 p.m. Come to hear and encounter those who suffer locally from mass incarceration and detention. We will walk together in prayer and live fully as we join in practicing our faiths.

Blessings, Pastor Nancy