Someone on the corridor this morning returned my
greeting, “Viva il Papa” and more than agreed when I said, “what a beautiful
choice of a title – Francis!” He immediately added, “it suits the times… but
let’s hope he doesn’t take it too seriously!”
Very true, it is a daring title, a bit scaring too. Though
this morning the Vatican clarified in specific terms that it was Francis of
Assisi, who is invoked here as patron, I was still thinking…
Francis could refer to the spirit of Francis of Assisi
or Francis of Saverio…or both!
Francis of Assisi, was a revolutionary FROM WITHIN the
Church when many thought reform was only to step out and rebel. Francis led the
Church back to its roots of childlike
faith in God and simple life in
communion with brothers and sisters and the whole universe! A task that disturbed
many, because it was prophetic! The
Church today needs that return yet again – to love, to brotherhood and
sisterhood and to trust in God and in each other in our walk towards a simple
holiness, modeled after Christ.
Francis Xavier, burned with zeal TO REACH OUT to the
multitudes, an ardent evangeliser! He can challenge the Church today, which is
taking its baby steps in the New Evangelisation, a call from the signs of the
times!
Yes, it could be both these Francis, who have visited
us again…in the person of Pope Francis, not forgetting the humble and kind saint Francis de Sales!
As a love-bound-Church let us pay heed to the call that
the ‘owner of the boat’ gives us… Let us return to our roots – Simplicity,
Humility and Prayer!
