Spirituality in the time of Pope Francis

'Simplicity demystifies the papacy when people witness the pope taking a bus'

Dec 23, 2017

By Bonifacio Tago Jr
Pope Francis is an apostle of God’s mercy at a time of globalization. In the face of man’s irresponsible acts, the pope reaches out to everyone, including those of other faiths and non-believers.

The reach of the pope’s exhortations has been greatly extended by the magic of modern communications.

So too has access for all mankind been improved to diverse cultural and religious treasures.

And, for example, we can gain insights into the suffering of the Rohingya in Myanmar as well as victims of conflicts in places such as Syria, Iraq and the Philippines. Exposure to such realities has the power to soften our hearts.

As well as good, globalization brings things that are bad, such as international terrorism and children accessing on-line material that promotes violence.

However, part of the genius of our century is that it has provided bridges to the wisdom of great people who strived for peace.

Figures that spring to mind include India’s Mahatma Gandhi, America’s Martin Luther King and Anglican Desmond Tutu of South Africa.

And, of course, Pope Francis. We have both models to emulate and sources of inspiration.

We can draw upon the acts of mercy of Saint Teresa of Calcutta as well as the compassion of so-called ordinary people.

Research and various forms of media enhance our awareness on weighty issues such as climate change and human trafficking.

We can no longer sit comfortably in our homes without our consciences being pricked by the plight of millions of our brothers and sisters around the globe.

The spirit of God speaks to us through all these realities.

The challenge of Jesus, especially during the advent season, is clear: "If you want to be my disciples, deny yourself, take your cross daily, and come follow me."

Jesus' cross in the 21st century is revealed in the broken face of a child who is forced into prostitution.

And Jesus once more is crucified when another person is killed in the name of a so-called war against drugs.

Jesus weeps over victims of ethnic cleansing as well as people subjected to religious and political intolerance or economic deprivation.

It is to imperative to humanize our world and "sacramentalize" God’s mercy, focusing on spirituality rather than religion.

Author Diarmuid O’Murchu has commented: "The religious, moral and spiritual breakdown of our time has to do with religion and not with spirituality."

And he cited a deep yearning to reclaim a "primal sacred story" characterized by love, justice, peace and liberation.

Pope Francis in his apostolic exhortation,Laudato Si, speaks of a spirituality that embraces the whole of creation.

He reminds us that the Earth, as our mother and common home, requires protection.

Pope Francis is challenging us to cultivate a spirituality that does not put man above all creation, but at the service of God’s beautiful works.

It is understandable therefore that Pope Francis’ proclaimed the "Extraordinary Year of Mercy" in 2016 and wrote the apostolic letters Misericordia Vultus and Misericordia et Misera.

For Pope Francis, the name of God is "mercy" and that means reaching out to the marginalized, abandoned and sick.

Simplicity demystifies the papacy when people witness the pope taking a bus rather than riding in the papal limousine.

And Pope Francis testifies to the joy of proclaiming the good news of the Christian message, encouraging us to be humble and gentle of heart.--LCI(international.la-croix.com)

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