FRANCIS I, THE NEW POPE

The excitement of a new Pope. 

White smoke came out of the chimney. 

The bells rang, and St. Peter's square is packed with people.

The band in full regalia marches to the front of the basilica.

Waiting for the announcement...

During these days, we have heard it time and again. 

It has become the slogan in the mouths of the commentators: 

the Church is in crisis. 

Indeed! The Church has been in crisis for two thousand years. 

The boat of the Church has always moved through rough waters. 

But the Lord is in the boat.

We may think that he is sleeping, but he is in control.

Finally, the surprise comes.

Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, from Buenos Aires is the new Pope.

The predictions were wrong.

The name is also unexpected: Francis.

Yes, Francis is his name.

The first with such a name.

Francis - the poor of Assisi,

who transformed the Church with his simplicity, his poverty and his faithfulness to Christ.

Francis Xavier - the apostle, the evangelizer, 

who consumed his life proclaiming the Gospel.

He is the 265th successor of St. Peter.

He asked people to pray for him.

May the Holy Spirit guide him,

so that he gives true witness to Jesus Christ,

proclaims the Good News

and guides the Church in unity and peace.

GOD NEVER IMPOSES HIMSELF ON US

The prodigal son by Rembrandt

IV SUNDAY OF LENT: Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

The most beautiful parable is the so called parable of the prodigal son, which is in fact the parable of a father with two sons.

Jesus told this parable to the Pharisees and Scribes who “were grumbling and saying, This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Lk 15:2). The parable, besides being a justification of Jesus’ attitude, it is a denunciation of the Pharisees attitude of rejection, motivated by their self-righteousness, their pride and their contempt and disdain for the common people who were no more than sinners. 

In the parable, Jesus expresses so deeply and so sensibly God's love and mercy, that it does not need to be justified. His love is complete and total, given graciously and freely. He does not impose it on his own children. And, following the parable, it seems that he does not even demand it from us. It is pure love, without strings attached, just waiting to be recognised and accepted. 

In the parable, both sons were unable to recognise the father’s love. In fact, they rejected it. Both of them thought only of themselves. In their hearts, there was no place for anybody else. Their reasons and their attitudes towards life and towards the father were very different, but in the end they had this in common: their egotism and selfishness. 

The elder son was well behaved and hard working.  He was obedient to the point of subservience. However,  he had his own secrets and his own plans for his future life.  He was a lonely man, without friends. He had not  time for that. He would accuse his father of mismanagement  and discrimination against him, and of treating him like a slave, not allowing him to have even a little time with his friends.  It was not true. “Everything is yours!” the father told him. He was stingy, and he was thinking only of how much he could accumulate for the future. It is not surprise that in the end he rejected both his brother and his father. 

The elder son is the picture of the Pharisees, so called because they isolated themselves and separated themselves from the big crowd which they considered a bunch of sinners.

In a way, it is better to be like the young son. He wanted to have his own life, away from the father. He had the audacity to ask for what did not belong to him. He wanted his part of the inheritance, as if his father was dead already. He was tired of seeing the inquisitive eyes of the father and of being told what to do. He was a grown up, and time had come to be independent and to make his own rules. So he went, living behind a father in tears. There was no time to look back... he would never come back - so he though in his heart.

The young son had to learn the hard way, by a painful experience, that his eagerness to find joy and discover his own path to happiness only would lead to suffering. Alone, all by himself, he made a mess of his life, totally devoid of meaning, putting him on the way to self-destruction. Luckily he kept the ability to remember, to think and to question himself. He allowed himself to be touched by the pain and the suffering that he was experiencing, and he could see the non-sense of his futile attempt. He was ready to go back, because he remember his father’s kindness and compassion for the workers. He would be happy to become a simple worker that can find food on the table and a roof over the head.

As he approached home, a big surprise waited for him. His father’s love was beyond any expectation and any possible human measure. That is God’s love: a love that liberates and gives us dignity. He does not want slaves in his house. We are his children.

“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, Abba! Father! 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Ro 8:15-16)

I HAVE SEEN THE SUFFERING OF MY PEOPLE

III SUNDAY OF LENT: Ex 3:1-8,13-15

Last week, we learned with Abraham, the man of faith and the father of all who live by faith. This week, we learn with Moses, the man with a mission. 

Moses seen from different angles

In fact, Moses can be seem from many different angles: 

•   the child who escaped the infanticide; 
• the Egyptian prince, brought up in the Pharaoh's court; 
• the outlaw escaping justice and taking refuge in the desert; 
•   the survivor who found a welcoming home in Midian; 
• the shepherd and the family man who lived like a Midianite and learned the secrets of the desert;
• the man who had a deep experience of God that transformed his life;
• the man with a mission, sent back to the land that saw him growing up, in order to bring the people of Israel out of slavery;
• and then as the liberator of his people, he became the leader, the counsellor, the judge, the law giver, the priest, the servant of the people and the close friend of God.

God prepared Moses well for the task that he would entrust to him. He did not allow him to be killed, and then he spent the first part of his life learning the skills needed to be a ruler of the people. Once that was done, by ways that only God knows and understands, his life changed radically and he was forced to learn in the school of the desert with people who experienced in their daily lives their dependence of God, to whom they entrusted themselves. This second learning was essential for his future task of taking the people through the desert. Once finished, he was ready to be entrusted with a mission.

Moses call

In this Sunday’s first reading, we hear about Moses’ call. Like everywhere else in the Bible, God takes the initiative, attracting Moses attention and calling him by name. God always calls us by name. And the answer promptly came back: “Here I am”. The readiness to answer God’s call is essential in any relationship with God, even if it demands precautions and brings feelings of inadequacy. Moses was told to take off his shoes, and he covered his face in fear.

God demands our cooperation

God saw the suffering of his people and he could not look away. He felt compassion for them, and decided to liberate them from their oppression. However, after the creation, God never works alone. The plan of salvation belongs to him, but we are called to cooperate with him, and he chooses the ones he wants to choose to carry out his plan. Moses put his objections, but in the end he accepted and became a faithful servant of God and of the people.

I've seen the suffering of my people - sung in Bemba by Yangeni Singers, Lubengele Parish, Chililabombwe.

A PILGRIM IN THE LAST LEG OF HIS JOURNEY

THE FAREWELL OF BENEDICT XVI

In his last words, pronounced at Castel Gandolfo, Benedict XV thanked people for their kindness, friendship and affection. Then, he stated a very simple fact: “I am no longer the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church”. He is no more in charge, not because he  run away, abandoning the ship, but because of his old age, not feeling anymore the physical strength to carry on and to give the best that the Church needs and deserves. The ministry of Peter of being shepherd of the whole flock is a very demanding job, for which the one exercising it should be in the best of his abilities.

Wome may not feel happy with all the decisions that he took during his Pontificate. Anyway, it is impossible to please everybody, and it is impossible to be perfect. There are many commentators and critics who speak as if the Pope, and other leaders of the Church, should be faultless like angels or God himself, but the fact is that they are human beings like everybody else, struggling to be faithful to Christ who is the Supreme Shepherd.

Remembering that, we should give thanks to God for his stewardship. He witnessed to the love of God in Jesus Christ, proclaiming the Gospel always with clarity and passion. He was a teacher of the faith, with a great passion for Jesus Christ. In spite of being a professor, he was able to pass the message in simple and touching language. And his final gesture will remain as an example for others to follow. When someone becomes incapacitated to fully serve the Church, because of age or sickness, it is better to step down, with full trust in the Lord, who is the captain of the ship, and who will never allow his Church to capsize. 

Now “I am simply a pilgrim beginning the last leg of his pilgrimage on this earth.” And he is going to do what all pilgrims can do: “But I would still, thank you, I would still—with my heart, with my love, with my prayers, with my reflection, and with all my inner strength—like to work for the common good and the good of the Church and of humanity.”

As we give thanks for the gift of Benedict XVI, let us pray earnestly for the Cardinals that are going to elect the new Pope. May the Holy Spirit come upon them with his power and guidance.

LIVING BY FAITH

II SUNDAY OF LENT: Gn 15:5-12,17-18

This Sunday's first reading is about Abraham, whom Paul calls "the father of all of us" (Ro 4:16) in faith.

Abraham has a big place in the history of religions, because with him we find the beginning of a new religious experience: his life was lived in a relationship with God based on faith.

We may ask what role faith played in his life, and in which way he is the prototype of all those who believe.

Abraham's experience of faith

If we look at Abraham (you can read Gn 12 - 23), we find some important points about faith:

• Abraham was called by God, and he answered that call. Faith implies always a call from God, and an answer on our side.
• God established a personal relationship with Abraham, which was a relationship of friendship, based on trust and love.
• God's call was accompanied of a promise - a promise that would come to fulfillment sometime in the future. Faith always directs our eyes towards the future, giving us a vision that makes it possible to move forward towards the unknown with trust, confidence and hope. Our hearts and our minds are not in the past, filled with sorrow and tears for the lost happiness; instead, we move towards the future, strengthened by hope and guided by faith.
• The relationship between God and Abraham was sealed with a covenant, meaning that he became binding on both sides, both God and Abraham. A covenant implies a commitment; and God swore by himself that the children of Abraham - the ones who live by faith - will be his people. Abraham committed himself to remain faithful to the covenant.
• From Abraham, we learn that faith is a journey: the journey of faith and the journey of life at the same time. In Abraham, we can see how he grew in faith throughout that journey. Abraham's faith was not perfect from the beginning; in fact, it took many years for him to realize that God has his own ways and his own time, and only at the end, he was able to surrender himself totally to God, putting his life and his future in the hands of God.
• If we look closely at Abraham, we discover that faith is not ignorance or blindness; instead faith goes together with the search of the mind that tries to understand. That's why Abraham inquired from God about the fulfilment of the promise. How is it going to happen? Humanly speaking, he could not see a way out. The attitude of search is part of a journey of faith. That search is guided by God himself and prepares us for a deeper understanding and a stronger commitment to surrender ourselves to Him who is love.
• In the life of Abraham and in the life of all those who followed in his footsteps, we can discover that God reveals himself in history, in the events that touch our lives and through the  journey that each one of us travels.

Faith became the foundation of Abraham's life, giving direction and meaning to his life. He believed in God's promise. We are still guided by that Promise - the promise of a land where our hearts will find peace, because we will live in harmony with God and with all his creation.

"For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body." (Phil 3:20).

JESUS’ CHOICES

I SUNDAY OF LENT: Lk 4:1-13

After his baptism, Jesus went into the desert for a time of reflection and search about himself and his mission. He had to think about his programme, and he was faced with different strategies to carry it out. The gospels of Luke and Matthew present that through the form of temptations. Jesus was tempted, meaning that there were different choices appealing to him, some of which were wrong choices.

THE TEMPTATION OF SELFISHNESS

After forty days, Jesus was hungry (Lk 4:2). 

But why should he suffer? 

He is the Son of God. He has power. 

Does he need to suffer? 

It is very easy and simple.

And the first proposition was presented to him:

Use your power and your position, 

and everything will be solved.
This is the TEMPTATION OF SELFISHNESS, of thinking only about oneself, caring for one’s needs, without paying attention to others and without thinking about possible consequences. 

This is the temptation of using one’s position, power and influence for his own profit.

In the desert, when they ran out of food, the People of Israel could not trust God’s love. They accused God of setting a trap for them and of starving them to death (Ex 16:17). Jesus suffers the same temptation of doubting God’s love and his promises, but he entrusted himself totally to GOD.

THE TEMPTATION OF USING GOD AND RELIGION FOR OUR OWN GLORY

Taken to the pinnacle of the Temple, he was advised to throw himself down and to force God to come to his rescue. This is the TEMPTATION TO USE GOD HIMSELF, HIS WORD AND RELIGION to get recognition and glory or to become a leader and to gain power.

It was as well the TEMPTATION TO MAKE MIRACLES AND WONDERS in order to gain glory, wealth and power. Jesus was tempted to make miracles, so that people would believe in his power. In a way, we can say that it was the TEMPTATION TO USE MAGIC AND WITCHCRAFT to lead and rule the people.

THE TEMPTATION OF WEALTH AND POWER

And he was offered political power and wealth as the way out for the problems of this world. However, he would have to accept a heavy condition in order to be given the kingdom of this world: to recognise and worship Satan. Jesus’ answer was a total refusal, proclaiming the very old but always new truth that only God is God, and only God can be worshiped.

Political and economic power can become the overriding value, to which we submit everything else. Power and wealth can become the god that we worship, the god that we serve. Jesus rejected political power, and when people wanted to make him a king, he went into hiding.

There are so many false values that appear to bring a better world, in which people may enjoy freedom, justice and peace. What an illusion. Once followed, they transform us into slaves, making enemies of our neighbours, our friends and our families.

May God gives the wisdom and the courage to choose the true liberating values that will guide our lives.

LENT, A SPECIAL TIME OF GRACE

ASH WEDNESDAY: Mt 6:1-6,16-18

This is the day of salvation

In Catholic tradition, Lent is always a special time of grace. That's why at the beginning of Lent, we listen to Paul's proclamation: "Now is the favourable time; this is the day of salvation" (2 Co 6:2).

We should not allow this day to pass by, without our hearts being touched by it. As Jesus spent 40 days in the desert, so we are to spend 40 days closer to Jesus, listening to his word, being trained by him, walking on his footsteps and trying to be like him.

Celebrating the year of the faith, let us seize the opportunity this Lent offers us to become closer to Jesus and to make him the centre of our lives. Faith is first of all this relationship with Jesus.

Be faithful to God’s will

Speaking to us, in today's gospel, Jesus tells us not to be carried away by a craving for fame. We should not behave strangely, just for the sake of being noticed and talked about. Our foremost concern must be to remain faithful to God's will, without making a fuss about it.

And then Jesus gives us counsel on how to make this lent season very special by concentrating our minds and hearts on three special exercises, which must be done with the right attitude:

• PRAYER - as a time for a personal encounter and dialogue with God. No disturbances, no noises, no publicity. Alone, in the secret of my room, in God's presence. Nobody else needs to know.
• ALMSGIVING - sharing what I have with those in need, without attracting anybody else's attention, be it my neighbour or the media.
• FASTING - not only for health reasons, but with a spiritual attitude of sacrifice and of penance, as an exercise to prepare the mind and the body to embrace what is important and to recognise God's primacy.

In all these three areas, Jesus gives a stern warning: "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them" (Mt 6:1)