|
Greetings!
Habemus Papam-- and he is a Chicagoan!
Right now, the world cannot hear enough about Pope Leo XIV. Everyone, it seems, is trying to figure out who he is, the type of pontiff he will be, and how he will compare to his predecessors. Commentaries abound regarding where he will live, how he will dress, his leadership style, beliefs, and future policies. Researchers have already dived into his social media accounts and genealogical records, and, of course, the press has already interviewed family members to learn more about this Chicagoan who has lived more years out of the U.S. than in it. Some claim that he is our first "black" pope; others have labeled him as "woke"; still others believe that his election had something to do with the MAGA movement. There are memes circulating that the Vatican will be transformed by American fastfood joints and gas stations; and, if this were not enough, The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in Milwaukee has already released photos of the first bobbleheads of Pope Leo XIV.
Here, in the Chicago area, there is both pride and disbelief that one of our own is now pope; everyone, it seems, wants to claim some degree of connection. I'm not sure whether he is a lover of deep dish pizza, but, apparently, Pope Leo XIV is a White Sox fan and this will endear him to many. And, just FYI, I should add that he was born in the same hospital where my children were born and that he studied at a seminary where I have taught in the past (:
All this being said, whoever Pope Leo XIV is called to be at this time in the world's history has yet to be seen. Whether he wears the traditional red papal shoes or lives in the Apostolic Palace, I believe Robert Francis Prevost is the right man to lead the church. Regardless of what he wears or where he lives, Pope Leo XIV's gentle smile, unassuming presence, deep faith and commitment to social justice are all signs that we will be in good hands...
Elizabeth
+++
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”
John 10:27-30
If we are fortunate enough to enjoy close friendships, then we understand the soul-gratifying experience of being known and knowing another. To be known, loved, and accepted is one of the greatest gifts we can ever receive —but, surprisingly, it is a rare experience. For example, while our parents, siblings, and other relatives remember details about our growing-up years, they can recount stories about us but may have never truly understood the deeper motivations behind our various exploits, attitudes, and behaviors. Whether we were the "brains" in the family, the prankster, the artist, or the obedient child, the stories still in circulation tend to be one-dimensional, often highlighting roles we took on precisely because they were expected of us. Similarly, former teachers and classmates may have appreciated our brilliance, athleticism, or creativity, but chances are that they never truly knew us or that they had any understanding of our deepest hopes, dreams, and desires.
Once we enter the professional domain, our various personae are often linked to performance —job titles, achievements, awards, and reputation. In fact, we often hide our true thoughts and feelings to maintain professionalism and avoid any semblance of weakness. On the contrary, many aspire to be "Influencers," those who set trends and whose posts go "viral"! For some, the closest experience of "being known" may be their presence on Social Media and responses to the brand they have so carefully created on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and more. Here, intimacy is measured by "likes" and emojis but does little to satisfy the hunger of the human heart.
Then there are those who mistake sexual relations for "being known," but when the only vulnerability is taking off one's clothes instead of opening up the heart, then fleeting pleasure replaces true intimacy, and loneliness follows. Sadly, the demands of modern life often lead to a breakdown in communication. For many married couples, for example, if there is time for conversation, it tends to focus on the children, the household, finances, and anything and everything except their feelings for each other. Too often, after the honeymoon, listening stops, and lovers become strangers.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, doesn't merely know about us but knows every dimension of who we are --every thought, every feeling, every experience, every regret, every disappointment, every aspiration... Just as Psalm 139 presents a God who knows our inmost thoughts, the words we are about to speak, and the places we have visited, so, too, does the Good Shepherd. And just as the psalmist cannot escape God's presence, either by scaling the heavens or plunging to the depths, so Jesus, the Good Shepherd, searches us and knows us, probing our hearts, reading our minds, and loving us just the same.
This is the true intimacy of being known, the only intimacy that will never disappoint; once we have tasted it, we will settle for nothing less.
+++
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
- Who are the people in your life who know you best?
- What parts of yourself do you tend to keep private and why?
- What is it like to share your deepest thoughts with another?
- To what extent do you bring your whole self to prayer?
|
