Pope Francis Had so Much to Teach Us about Becoming Who we Receive
As we remember the life of Pope Francis, one of the things that’s inspired me so much about our late Holy Father is how he lived his life in such incredible humility and service.
Years ago in the 1970s when he was a “rising star” in the Jesuits, I remember reading how he was essentially sent away due to some political issues in the order in Argentina. He lived for a few years out at a smaller church, hearing confessions, saying Mass, but out of the “limelight.” And when he was then made a bishop, he did not come back to “settle scores” but served with a deep love the people of his archdiocese.
Like most around the world I was quite surprised when Pope Benedict XVI stepped down, and then Cardinal Bergoglio was elected. From the start, what struck me and so many was his humility and genuine love for the people. I remember his first words as pope were simply “good evening” as an informal way to greet the people in Saint Peter’s Square. And in an early interview when asked who he was, he remarked “a sinner,” mindful that like all of us he was a work in progress. He would have Mass on Holy Thursday outside of the Vatican usually in a prison. In various powerful photographs you would see him comforting a child who had wondered up to him while he was speaking, or kissing gently the head of a person who had a handicap. These actions of mercy spoke volumes. They inspired many to return to the Catholic faith, or to look at their own faith journey. He would meet people where they were at as Jesus did, and did so much to win souls for Jesus.
This week as we celebrate First Communions, I’m reminded of one of Archbishop Harry Flynn’s sayings were, namely this is not just a “Kodak Moment.” He’d use that at confirmations, and his point was simply that yes the photo is one thing, but this is something more – a sacrament – and it points to something deeper.
It is always an honor to celebrate First Communions with the First Communicants and their families, and I can see in their eyes how they really love Jesus. But one of the things I typically hit on in a homily for the Mass is how it’s so important to become who it is receive. We do this through our love and actions of mercy. Jesus wants us to move forward and “grow up” spiritually; that’s something Peter is still struggling with a bit in the Gospel from the Third Sunday of Easter as we are told he’s having a “Hakuna Matata” moment lightly clad spending the day fishing. Jesus though told him to be a leader and to be a fisher of men – something he will indeed do. And I have no doubt that the young people making their First Communion this weekend will do that through simple actions of love and mercy, something we all are called to do. We must never forget that faith is a matter of the head and the heart; we need to learn the faith more deeply so we know what it means to be a follower of Jesus, but we need to emulate the Master Fisherman in how we live it out through love, mercy and forgiveness.
May the Heavenly Father welcome Pope Francis into the Heavenly Kingdom, and may the Holy Spirit bless all of our first communicants on this very special weekend. May they serve as a sign to us all to truly become who it is we receive.
God bless, ~Fr. Paul
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April 2025