-

I think it's time to let everyone in on something I have been reflecting on for the past week -- the death of Pope Francis and the hope we are called to have in this time of transition in the Catholic world.

Like many people, I have underestimated the power of change and transition.  When I was thinking the other day, I realized just how much the world has changed in the wake of Pope Francis' passing.  Sure, it's only been a week, but the images from his funeral this past Saturday we remarkable.  The pictures were of thousands of people in Rome and at the Vatican -- in St. Peter's Square and lining the streets going to St. Mary Major church where Francis is now entombed -- were simply awe-inspiring.  It told me not only did his papacy touch the lives of European Catholics, but from all over the world.  I know that sounds corny or obvious or stereotypical, but it was really cool.  And I thought the wake and funeral for my father back in 2009 was huge (which it was big, but not like Pope Francis'.  OMG!  Wow!).

I think one of the lessons I will try to emulate from Pope Francis was the ability to concentrate energy to one thing at a time.  And I don't want to hear that he was much older so that's all he COULD do.  Even in his early days of his reign, he was very deliberate.  He began his teachings with Gaudium Evangelium (the Joy of the Gospel).  Within those pages, he opened up the subject of family and how the structure of family has changed.  Most of the world already seemed to know this, but Francis acknowledged it.  From single-parent families, to grandparents raising their grandchildren because their parents need to work, to homogendered parents with adopted children.  Eventually, this subject would kickstart conversations about the Church possibly offering a public blessing to couples who are of the same gender as well.  And while a blessing was able to be given, however we would be able to word the blessing, we had to be sure the words we used did not refer to the Sacrament of Marriage.  It was not making civil union valid marriages in the Church, but a blessing of God's love for the family created through the two people.  Frankly, in my book and opinion only, blessing a family for the love God has created for them, IS validation.  Nice work Pope Francis.  Open wide the door!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I just looked back

-
THIS TUESDAY WILL BE THE ANNIVERSARY OF WHEN I STARTED THIS THING!  MAYBE THIS YEAR I WILL MAKE A BETTER EFFORT TO BE CONSISTENT WITH HOW OFTEN I POST SOMETHING. I was thinking about my trip down here.  I think the most interesting thing I recall seeing along the way was an advertisement for bomb shelters.  No joke.  I found that to be a little disturbing.  I have also seen numerous names of streets that I wish I could remember more clearly, but many are street names with Spanish influence with words like "calle" "camino" or "avenida" built in (street, way, or avenue for those who are not familiar with Spanish).  It makes sense that would be part of the surroundings because it is so close to Mexico and it was here WELL BEFORE the current government regime. On that topic, BTW, I continue to hear from many politicians from BOTH parties that President Trump is running farther and farther away from being in charge of the longest standing democracy in history....
Read more

Happy Saturday

-
 Blessings to all on the January 10, 2026! Shout out to a friend back home whose sister passed away last night.  Love you bro and may she rest in peace. I am still getting acclimated to the surroundings.  I am trying to figure out walking distances (i.e. if something is within walking distance of the retreat center.  For example, Target is a couple of blocks north of here and definitely within range.  Maybe as I get farther into my time, I will be able to expand that walking distance radius. Saw a beach for the first time yesterday.  It's probably the closest one to have access.  Lots of people just looking out over the ocean, not many ON the beach, though there were a couple of surfers in the water. I know that weather back home is much worse than where I am now, but it's still a little cool.  Not quite ready to be sleeveless. I will be trying to make it to Mass tonight.  That actually depend on how long it takes to get my windshield replace...
Read more

Holy Orders - preview

-
 Things continue to be complicated.  Maybe that is a strong word for how I am feeling recently, but it has been difficult to focus.  I want to focus on my future, especially the next three months before I leave for my six-month sabbatical to San Diego.  The parishioners are very supportive, which helps quite a bit.  Many continue to tell me how much I will be missed, which is also appreciated and humbling.  It many just be their good hearts saying so, but sometimes I begin to feel almost guilty about leaving.  Still, I know this is the right thing for me to do.  I have at least 12 years of ministry to go before I am even of age to retire without doing so for medical reasons.  I hope it stays that way.  It's the only way i want to retire.  Just to reach 70 years old and retire without extraordinary circumstances.  The talks on the Sacraments I have been working on for the last few months are going pretty well.  July was bap...
Read more