Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Pope Francis

I took a giant sigh of relief this morning when I saw that Time magazine named Pope Francis the Person of the Year.

Pope Francis is the kind of leader Catholics needed.  Heck, he's the kind of leader anyone needs. For the first time that I can remember, I'm EXCITED about our Pope. I'm excited about the things he is doing, the examples he sets, and the words he speaks. I have faith in him, and I trust him. I can't say I've ever felt that way about a Pope.

Pope Francis lives a life of simplicity, and a life of serving others. He's the change we needed as a faith. It's like- he gets it. He knows that there are issues in our church, and he's leading us down the right path of being socially aware, spiritual, humble human beings. He is the first Pope to ever say "Who I am to judge a gay person?" and when he said those words I just about ran around the block out of excitement. As a Catholic and supporter of gay rights I have always struggled with my church beliefs on homosexuality, and although I don't think Pope Francis will be performing any gay marriage ceremonies, I do believe- we're on the right track. A year ago? Do you know what I said? "this isn't good. We're going backwards".  Now? FORWARD MARCH.

Another thing he said? "And I believe in God, not in a Catholic God, there is no Catholic God, there is God and I believe in Jesus Christ, his incarnation. Jesus is my teacher and my pastor, but God, the Father, Abba, is the light and the Creator. This is my Being."

YES. This is the exact statement I have been saying for years, that there is no "ONE" God, no "right God", there is just GOD.

Pope Francis is what we needed. My sigh of relief when finding out he is the Person of the Year is the same sigh of relief I take in every time I read a quote or story about him. It's always refreshing. So thank you, Time, for choosing Pope Francis over Miley Cyrus, or really anyone else in the running. He is truly our Person of the Year, and of a lifetime.

God is in everyone’s life. Even if the life of a person has been a disaster, even if it is destroyed by vices, drugs or anything else—God is in this person’s life. You can, you must try to seek God in every human life. - Pope Francis

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2 comments:

bk86 said... Add Reply

I read somewhere that 90% of American Catholics like Pope Francis as CNN's coorespondent to the Vatican John Allen says "90% of American Catholics can't agree on the fact that today is Wednesday". It shows what a impact he is having on everyone.

Rob-bear said... Add Reply

There are a lot of us protestants who are pretty excited about Frances, too!

Blessings and Bear hugs!