Séamus Ahearne: WHAT THOSE POPES DID TO US: FRANCIS AND LEO.
THE VOICE:
I was at a Parish Meeting (our Monday session). Pope Bob came up as he has frequently. I told the gathered 15 that there was a spot of bother for me. Bob had been on the phone. He wanted me to join him in Rome to be his Liturgical Guru and also his Script Writer, and I was hesitating. There was a chorus of guffaws. It was loud and clear. Were they delighted or surprised? I’m quite sure it had to be that they were very reluctant to lose me. But somehow and rather more obvious, it seemed that such an appointment appeared most unlikely in the collective mind of those present.
THE FOOD:
At Mass, one morning in St Finian’s, I asked for prayers for Pope Bob (Leo). I said that he was hungry last Tuesday (13th May). There was nothing to eat in the Vatican. The fridge was empty. He hadn’t time to cook himself. He rushed across the road to St Monica’s. It wasn’t far to go. But there was a major argument from the Security detail. To cross the street was like a serious Diplomatic incident. Anyway, he got fed in Monica’s. There was no free lunch; he had to celebrate Mass. I accused the brothers there of being very unthoughtful. Bob has too much religion already. He needed a break. Why didn’t they just feed him and let him do the wash up? I am pleased that Leo has shown in how he began, how he intends to continue. He went to Mary Majors. He went to Genazzano. He went for lunch.
THE PHOTO:
I was at our Deanery Meeting. Frank (VF) does an excellent job with the Deanery. Some of us compare the present scene with the past. These meetings are excellent. The past Deanery meetings, when we were only clerics, those were painful. Anyway. This time we went through our discussions. And I was asked to say a word about Bob the Augustinian and the Augustinians and Augustine. I spoke with great solemnity. Meanwhile, some photos appeared on the screen. There I was dressed up in apparel that would shock me (at all times) as a sidekick to Bob. Within minutes, Bob was beheaded and my head was imposed to take his place. There was even a cake to celebrate. The occasion. The Pope. Or my new place?
POPE LEO’S VOICE:
I have shared with many, my own concern for our new Pope. I wanted to protect him. I know he will cope. I know he will be very good. I know he is calm. I know he has a sharp mind. I know he will listen. I know he has a sense of humour. I know he is prayerful. I know he will avoid drama. I know he can bring people with him. I know he is a good man. I know he is very experienced. I know he won’t be pushed around. I know his missionary past will give him a perspective. But I still worry.
THE CARES OF LIFE:
My worry is a common one. It comes from Mark 4.19. The Sower and the Seed. How we can be choked by the worries and cares of life. I think of this for all of us. Not just Leo. Parents are so busy with the everyday that they can’t stand back in wonder and gratitude, in reflection. Priests have so much to do, that the core mystery and message of God, can’t be neglected; that Liturgy be full of action and full of busyness where grace is not seen.
Bishops are now overwhelmed with bureaucracy and the laws of governance that the central business of Jesus Christ and pastoral care, hasn’t a chance. Provincials too, are suffocated with problems that the very mission hasn’t got space or energy, in their leadership.
And our Pope Leo. How can he stay with the Godliness of life, when the botheration of everyone and every day meetings, are screaming at him. How can he relax? How can he go out for a piazza or go for a ramble and a gossip? The whole world expects him to unify the liberals and the conservatives; to respect all the differences; to bow to the past and not grasp the present day because changes will create conflict? How can he deal with all of this?
At least, he has the experience of meeting all kinds of nationalities and of dealing with bishops everywhere. He has been through the business of coping with these strange Augustinians. He has worked in Rome and that is a major necessity. Poor Francis came from outside and had to be so strong and was. He held to the simplicity of the Gospel and the Good News of Jesus Christ. So yes. How do we lift ourselves beyond the ordinary and the obvious, to the beauty and wonder of God every day? It is our challenge. It is my prayer for Pope Bob (Leo). It is his challenge.
REVERENCE AND MYSTERY AND THE HOLY:
My next thought is on reverence and the holy. We have been through an avalanche of First Communions and Confirmations here in the parish (like many places). The children are delightful. I never can understand how they learn so much in such a short time. The teachers do a great job. But the adults have gone beyond grasping at all, a sense of place; a sense of occasion; a sense of the holy; a sense of reverence. That culture has died. We are now in a post Christian environment. That is NOT an accusation. It is not a blame. It is rather a reality. We cannot impose our understanding of God and Faith and Sacrament on those who have no belief. We cannot expect people to come into the Church and adjust to the quietness and respect that we think is appropriate.
POST CHRISTIAN CULTURE:
This then is our new question where all our churchy actions have to be changed. Some of the congregations get very upset at the lack of respect some show. But this Holy Place that we know is NOT a Holy Place for many. This Sacred Moment is not sacred for them. We can’t blame or be angry. Faith is a gift. Many don’t have it. God is not important. In that old phrase: Missing but not missed. However. Wasn’t it remarkable how newsworthy the death and funeral of Francis was? Wasn’t it remarkable how the Conclave and White Smoke and inauguration was? Those Heads of State. The crowds. The media. Somehow, and somewhere – the Church has a place in the world and does matter. How can we tap into the message of those days and these Popes and what our Church has to say? It isn’t the pageantry but somehow the sacred was celebrated. The organisation was marvellous. The music of these occasions was special. There was something out of kilter with all the dressed up men but that is for another day.
Seamus Ahearne osa.