Dear Friends,
Today is the fourth day in May, and many of us know this date as Star Wars Day because of the phrase, “May the force be with you,” used by Jedi masters in the Star Wars movies. While not officially declared, the holiday has been embraced by fans and the Walt Disney Company. I have seen our school students having fun on this day in the past when it fell on a weekday.
I always smile at this phrase of Jedi “May the force be with you,” because even though the sci-fi community in general does not acknowledge the existence of God, this phrase sounds to me, as a clear admission that there is a higher power beyond their control and as their way of surrendering the outcome of a dangerous mission to this higher power they name as “Force” that we Christians name as God or Jesus Christ.
Today, we conclude the Novendiales or Novena in memory of Pope Francis, whose passing brought an unprecedented focus on the Catholic Church in general, and the papacy of Francis in particular. As I mentioned in my homily, it is very important and beneficial for us to reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis. Some asked me about the criticisms of Francis. My only answer is that Jesus himself was criticized, so why are we surprised that Pope Francis is also criticized? And on every point of criticism, I pointed out that Francis was doing exactly the mind of Jesus, even when it brought about some ambiguity and confusion which was meant to make us all rethink and re-evaluate our own attitudes. Therefore, let us reflect on how we might personally have grown because of his words, writings, and witness.
What made Pope Francis so endearing to the whole world? As the archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergolio was unpopular with many Argentine politicians because he had been a staunch and brave critic of the corruption and economic inequality there. During Argentina’s military dictatorship in the 1970’s, he was sent into de facto exile in Frankfurt, Germany, and then to the remote Córdoba, Argentina. These difficult years shaped his compassionate worldview and strengthened his resolve to stand with those facing injustice.
Besides his political activism, what often endeared Pope Francis to all was his simplicity, coupled with his tireless immersion in poor communities. The world saw the way he was able to blend in with the very ordinary people. While his actions of humility and simplicity raised many eyebrows in the establishment, he became all the more endearing to the world. Asking for a blessing from the crowds at his first appearance as pope, refusing to live in the luxurious penthouse of the papal apartments and choosing the modest two-room suite in the Vatican’s Saint Martha guesthouse, carrying his own luggage and paying his own hotel bills, washing the feet of women and even non catholic prisoners, driving a modest, 20-year-old white Renault, wearing the black leather shoes instead of the traditional red papal footwear, … the list goes on, a list that made him very unique in the history of the papacy.
But his teachings and writings have promoted a spirituality that is easy for even the very ordinary folks to understand and relate to. All of us can learn a lot from Pope Francis to be simple and humble. We too can spread the joy of the gospel as he did so warm-heartedly. May he rest in peace.
Your brother in Christ,
Fr. Abraham Orapankal