A fortuitous nightmare awakened me to the installation of Pope Francis I. A moment before me--before my eyes--a moment before the eyes of the world. The moment is now.
Pope Francis I touched me--touched the world--with the Hand of Jesus. He held a baby. He went to a man unable to come to him.
Some spoke of--whispered "the economic"--the Poor, the Weak, the Vulnerable--as others within view safely from an arm's length.
Others speculate whether this is The Moment when administrative mismanagement within the Catholic Church will be cleaned up--whether church management will be made transparent. Management in the Vatican. Management in local dioceses.
Still others ask whether this is The Moment when the Catholic Church will move into the twenty-first century. Will the Catholic Church embrace married priesthood? Women's ordination. Same-sex marriage.
I shall work--continue to work--with those dedicated to Church Transparency. I shall work--I shall continue to work--with those dedicated to moving the Catholic Church in the twenty-first century.
I like others are elated--surprisingly elated. Yet, I pray of This Moment differently.
I pray.
May We embrace This Moment--This Franciscan Moment.
May we embrace not just the economically--the socially--Poor--the physically Weak, and the Visibly Vulnerable.
May we embrace our Inner Poverty, our Unifying Weakness, our Inescapable Vulnerability.
May we not hide under the Guise of Heroism--the Cry of Pity--at those Stronger or Weaker than we see ourselves to be.
Are you--are We--up to the task of embracing this Franciscan Moment?
I pray. May we open our arms to Pope Francis I--to this Franciscan Moment.
