Reflecting on Pope Francis passing, it really is miraculous his passing on Easter Monday. Lent, the 40 days before Easter is like the Israelites 40 years in the desert (trials of life) before they could enter the promise land (heaven). Jesus resurrection is leading us out of the desert and into paradise. Pope Francis is a modern example to follow, journeying through the desert of life, following Christ and on Easter he is redeemed and enters into heaven.
When he became Pope, the world did not know anything about him but his choice in names was very telling of his mission. The name means, “freeman” and Saint Francis was a saint who made himself so much like Christ he received his wounds. God asked Francis to” rebuild his church.” He focused on the poor and marginalized. His prayer is one of my favorites:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
This prayer is a mindset Pope Francis embraced. Putting others above yourself and lifting them up so that we all Rise with Christ.
In the United States we are so divided, let us learn from one of his last meetings. On Easter Pope Francis met with Vice President Vance. Pope Francis has been critical about our current immigration policies and as a defender of the marginalized would make VP Vance his enemy. On the biggest day of the year for the Pope he took the time to welcome him and gave his children Chocolate eggs. He loves his enemy.
The world will miss his sense of mercy and enormous heart. We should all strive to love like Pope Francis. Love sets us free. Let us pray we can learn to love our enemies like this, our neighbors as our selves, and strive for peace by following his lead.