I recently read a Facebook post by Jim Wallis (a favorite theologian and author of mine), where he stated a number of ways Pope Francis reminds him of Christ...
“Pope Francis reminds me of Jesus, calling us again to a deeper relationship with Christ. When he invites homeless men to have breakfast with him on his 77th birthday, or provides a chair and food for the Swiss Guard outside his room, he reminds us of Christ. When he kisses the feet of Muslim prisoners, or offers to baptize the baby of a woman who was pressured to abort it, he reminds us of Christ. When he asks, ‘If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?’ he reminds us of Christ. When he chooses a simple place to live and simple clothes to wear and when we hear rumors of his going out at night in disguise to minister to the homeless, he reminds us of Christ.”
Throughout this Advent season, I hope you also have had encounters like these. You don’t have to be the Pope to invite a homeless person into your life; you don’t have to be the Pope to visit prisoners; you don’t have to be the Pope to share a moment of grace with someone who is struggling through a difficult circumstance; you don’t have to be the Pope to comfort those who mourn; you don’t have to be the Pope to choose and model a life of simplicity; and you don’t have to be the Pope to love all God’s children with the radical love, grace, and humility of Christ - which Pope Francis emulates each time he does one of these seemingly “undignified” things.
It is refreshing to see a world renowned religious leader lay down his crown - his worldly power and authority - to reach out and hug a man with leprosy or welcome a hug from a child while he’s addressing a crowd. But isn’t he just doing what all Christ-followers should do? Isn’t he simply following the lead of a God who loved the world unconditionally; who was willing to become humble and take on human form; who didn’t mind getting the holy hands dirty in the stench of a stable; who didn’t think twice about entering the world through a woman’s womb; who dined with sinners; who welcomed children; who allowed a prostitute to wash the holy feet with her tears?
As we celebrate this most holy night, I pray we will look for ways to embody the Incarnate Gift of God’s Love in our own lives. I pray we will follow the lead of our children who have helped the Grinch’s heart grow to an immeasurable size with their FirstActs of Kindness. I pray we will not only give from our pocketbooks, but also give of our time, talents, and passion. I pray we will look beyond the walls of our church, our work places, our homes, and our hearts - and extend the grace of God to anyone we meet.
In so doing, we will not only welcome and receive the Christ Child, we will also give birth to the kind of Christmas miracle God dreams for the world:
The miracle of a world where the oppressed receive good news; the broken-hearted are healed; the captives are set free; those who mourn are comforted; songs of gladness and praise are lifted high; and the devastation of many generations is repaired, renewed, restored, and reconciled with the God who created and loves us all.
Praise be to God! The time is near. The Prince of Peace enters our hearts and our world anew. It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth. Hallelujah and Amen!
Rev. Becky Walker, Minister of Adult Formation
