367. A Choice of the Holy Spirit
A certain Jorge Mario Bergoglio appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's that dark and rainy evening of Wednesday, March 13th saying he wanted to be called Francis, Bishop of Rome. We were greeted with a “Good evening”, he explained that his brother cardinals went to fish the new Bishop of Rome from almost the ends of the world- in fact, Argentina, which lies at the foot of South America, almost touching the Antarctic - is at the end of the world.
He reminded us of another Bishop of Rome and made us pray right there and then in St. Peter's Square for Benedict XVI, we said the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory be-something that had never happened before. Then he wanted to give us the blessing, but first he wanted us to pray for him, bow our heads in silence, as he did, in the great square, and so it was.
He talked about walking together, to walk with him and he with us, and with all men of good will. Then greeted us, and told us we would see each other soon because the next day he wanted to go to pray to Our Lady, and then wished us not only a good night but also we should sleep well.
Contemplating this figure who of his predecessors comes to mind? His simple words, which are not read from a text but come from the heart, his familiar style, his spontaneity; the more I looked the more I seemed to see the figure of John XXIII and called to mind his own words that the years have not been able to tarnish, "go home and give your children a hug and say that is the hug of the Pope" .
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| John XXIII Credits: Wikipedia |
As John XXIII wanted to open a window to let in some fresh air unto a Church full of dust, the Holy Spirit on 13/03/2013 chose a shepherd called Francis to rebuild Christ’s church which had become so tainted, so muddy, in pieces, just as He had once called the other Francis from Assisi to do so.
These elections to which we were privileged witnesses were not made with the reasoning and the will of man, as is done when leaders of other religions are selected, in particular those of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is actually chosen by the monarch. No one could have predicted that the new Bishop of Rome not only would be called Francis but he would also have this saint’s affinity-gentleness with the poor but tough with the Devil.
And if sometimes we may have thought that the Holy Spirit does not exist or is not involved with humanity-certainly this conclave could not but sweep away all doubt, because only the Holy Spirit could possibly have the goodness and love to make us partakers of so small, joyous, great a miracle.
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