I was listening to Pope Francis address a joint session of Congress when the woman on the treadmill near me said, “He’s too political, talking about stuff that’s none of his business.”
My wife looked at me as if to say don’t say anything, but I did anyway. “The gospel is political,” I said, “and anyone who doesn’t believe that doesn’t know it.”
That ended the discussion, if you could call it that. I knew when I spoke that I wasn’t going to change her mind. But when you say something like what she did in public, you should expect a reaction.
Contrary to the views of this woman, I find Pope Francis inspiring.
Living a simpler life than the Vatican affords popes, he has clearly rejected the pomp and circumstance that has become customary for major religious leaders to enjoy these days, whether Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox.
Instead Pope Francis is a living reminder that materialism has no place in the realm of God, that there is no place for a rich church in a poor world, and that justice and compassion, not wealth and power, are the marks of genuine Christianity.
The notion that the pope should not talk about issues like poverty and wealth, freedom and justice, the sanctity of life, family life, caring for the planet, immigration, refugees and others says a lot about the failure of churches to teach the gospel.
If Christianity has nothing to say about these issues, it has nothing to say worth hearing about anything.
These days I find the pope about the only breath of fresh air there is in Christianity.
Most of his fellow bishops are too busy jockeying for position and power and maintaining tradition.
Most Protestant leaders are too busy doing institutional maintenance.
Seminaries have to many faculty members more concerned about their standing in the guild than in preparing real leaders for the church.
Then there is the staleness of congregational life and the obscenity of religious marketing.
No, there’s not much to give any thoughtful Christian a reason to be encouraged about the future…except Francis.
Yes, I know he is just a man who is flawed like the rest of us. But I see a holiness about him that reminds me of God, that reminds me that life is in fact noble and gentle and generous.
He reminds me that I can be more than I am.
And that encourages me, and these days I can use some of that.
So like all good Catholics I can say without hesitation that I love Pope Francis.
And I’m not even Catholic.
linnposts.com 
Amen and Amen! I too listen to the address and found if refreshing and challenging.
Well said, thank you Jan.
Perfectly captured, Jan. I too love Pope Francis and all he represents. And I’m not even religious in any formal way. How wonderful it would be if we had politicians who followed his humanitarian example.
Bill, we would have a country that practiced justice and compassion and enjoyed a genuine sense of unity.
Jan, this was a terrific blog. I too love Pope Francis. I know that what you say about many Christians and many churches is so true. Yet, I would not be honest if I did not point out that there is at least a small percentage of churches that are deeply immersed in doing the things that Pope Francis calls them to do. I am out on the streets daily fighting for justice with fellow members of religious communities in our local coalition of religious organizations, a local chapter of PICO – Catholic, Jews, Protestants all working together. The attacks on our group can be painful, but we we persist in working to raise the minimum wage, bring about immigration reform, visit detainees in immigrant detention centers and so many other things. All that said you made so many very important observations that my head was shaking yes, yes, yes. Jane
Jane, thank you for underscoring the good many Christians and Christian communities are doing. In many respects we do better than many people realize. I doubt the woman this morning even attend a church, but no doubt belongs to one and that is the extent of how she understands Christianity. Your words are a very good reminder to look beyond what is obvious.
Thanks Jan. Trying to live a simple life style finds hard traction.
Stephen, if there is anybody who knows that well it is you and Sharon. Your examples still inspire me, and I truly mean that.
Whatever one can say about areas where Francis speaks for Catholic doctrine and not the Gospels (and there are several), one must give him credit and kudos for speaking truth to power regarding poverty, care of the earth, justice and peace. Now if we can “reason together” instead of going to our respective corners, consensus and action is possible on many fronts.
I hope all of us are up to that challenge, Charlie, but especially members of the Senate and House.
Our City has been blanketed in his Spirit. I saw his motorcade on Tues eve at the Vat. residence, went to hear him at the Mass yesterday and today, joined in on the Mall for the Climate Rally. He really let Congress have it. Shame on them…Shame on us.. We do not deserve him but God is merciful.
Dixcy
I wish I had been there with you, Dixcy!
Oh.. and glad you DID say something to the lady at the gym… I would expect nothing less … Certainly, Joy knows that by now.
Thanks for the support, Dixcy. And down deep I’m sure she knew what was coming next.
Much as I respect Pope Francis as a person, I was somewhat disappointed when I saw that his US itinerary didn’t include the small town of Ruma in Illinois. I still have that book of yours entitled “What’s wrong with the Christian Right”, in which you mentioned in outline the story of five Roman Catholic Sisters who were killed in the service of the Gospel in Liberia in October 1992 because they wouldn’t desert the people they served in their hour of need. Ruma is the headquarters of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, to which these five dear ones belonged, and is the place where they are buried. Pope Francis put forward a cleric who isn’t popular with Native Americans, which shows that to keep the church together, he still has to perform a political balancing act.
On the credit side, he spoke in praise of Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton, both advocates of peace. I live in hope that the turn of the five dear sisters will come…
Nigel, your comment is a good reminder that Pope Francis is human like the rest of us, and while a righteous man, is not perfect or immune to institutional pressures. Thanks.
Well said Jan, Hopefully we can all be changed by the Pope’s words and not just hope that others change. He’s introduced a much needed feeling of calm to so many of us.
Wilbur, I am sure his message for change is indeed for all of us and not just for “them,” whoever that is. Thanks.