Pope Francis died the morning after Easter. Does anyone else see how prophetic the timing was? How perfect for the man who believed he was merely a pastor, a servant, a defender of the poor and marginalized among us.
Although I am not Catholic, I greatly appreciate the faithful and courageous spiritual leaders among us. Pope Francis, like Jesus, chose simplicity over ornateness and championed the cause of the forgotten and downtrodden. His approach to rules, whenever they conflicted with kindness, reflected Christ’s teachings. He also shared Christ’s disdain for those who judge others.
We have just celebrated the resurrection of the most remarkable leader known to man. And we have bid farewell to another who did his utmost to follow in his footsteps. Who will be the next great disciple of our Lord? Will they understand that to be Christ-like, one must be willing to bear thorns while serving others?
If Jesus were to join us today, would we recognize him? Would we politicize him as we seem to do with all folks? Would we gather in flocks to listen to his words, walk out on his sermon, or worse, call him evil?
Our church was packed on Easter Sunday. We have a caring, exemplary, open-minded minister who can bring folks to their knees with humor or in prayer. It takes talent and tons of faith to do that each Sunday.
Preachers are a rare breed. Once they are ordained to serve God, the Devil begins to attack. We have seen how fame’s power has taken down many once-devoted spiritual leaders. Satan wins, and God appears to lose.
As the leader, a minister must address complaints from members about various nit-picking issues, such as the music selection, the bread served during communion, or the comfort of the pews. I have witnessed people walking out of churches because the sermon did not resonate with them or align with their political beliefs.
In these moments, it seems the Devil prevails while God suffers another loss.
If Jesus were to join us today, would we recognize him? Would we politicize him as we seem to do with all folks? Would we gather in flocks to listen to his words, walk out on his sermon, or worse, call him evil?
Our politics, bias, hatred, and defiance could cause us to be blind to the light of the Lord himself. When we are centered on our complaints rather than awareness of others, we might not notice the new guy in the pew with scars on his hands.
It is a sobering thought that we may have become so self-righteous that we have lost sight of true righteousness. How will our judgment and treatment of others be viewed when we stand before the Supreme Judge?
Yes, pastors today walk a fine line. They must strive to please their parishioners while teaching the gospel of love according to God’s word. This delicate balance is akin to the challenge of writing a column, where each word must be carefully chosen to convey the intended message.
“Be mindful of your writing; you don’t want to offend someone.”
“Be cautious of how you speak, or you might lose a member.”
Pope Francis wasn’t afraid to say what he believed based on Christian principles and compassion.
“Who am I to judge?” Pope Francis said when asked about a gay priest. Some may have disagreed, but God is our hearts’ only reader and judge. We often forget that we are all God’s children, and no one is superior to another. When we prioritize our personal views over God’s view of us, we play into Satan’s hands.
If a pastor or pope’s role is to lead people toward God, then closing the church’s doors will never foster faith. Churches were established to save souls, spread hope, and transform hatred into love. Did Jesus deny anyone entry into His realm if they sought to join?
Yes, one may disagree with a preacher on an issue, but a person’s holiness is demonstrated by their service to others and their reflection of the Holy Spirit. If a church leader accepts those who, to some, are unacceptable, they embody Christ-like qualities and are willing to suffer the stings of a thorned crown.
Pastors require incredible courage. They set aside fear and strive to connect souls with God. Whether preaching in a small rural church or addressing a crowd in St. Peter’s Square, they are dedicated to being Christ’s emissaries, tirelessly working to help save us from ourselves.
When I reflect on Pope Francis’s acts of humbleness, such as washing the feet of a prisoner and choosing simplicity over formality, I am filled with a sense of gratitude for his service to humanity. He has grown his church through humility and has embraced our Lord’s call: “Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
If we strive to emulate Christ’s kindness, the final score will be Satan 0: God: Countless.
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Lynn Walker Gendusa is a Tennessee-raised, Georgia-residing author and columnist. Her latest book is “Southern Comfort: Stories of Family, Friendship, Fiery Trials, and Faith.” She can be reached at www.lynngendusa.com. For more of her inspirational stories, click here.
