Live Greater Jesus Visited This Week…

Apr 21, 2008

There is an ancient legend that said on Sundays, mothers would take their children out into the streets of Jerusalem hoping that Peter would walk by so that their children could dwell in the shadow of the one whom Christ called to be himself to the world. I couldn’t help but think of that as I was dwelling in the shadow of Pope Benedict XVI during his trip to New York. No I didn’t get to meet him or kiss his ring, but I did get to be in his presence and that was all I needed.  We all actually can rejoice as his presence over shadowed our whole country over the past week. The news pundits and many others will have their opinions as we continue to reflect on what his trip meant to America, but as we take in his words and actions over the past few days we can truly say the only thing we can proclaim in great truth is that, HE WAS CHRIST to us and that is exactly what our country needed.

“The hope that never disappoints is Jesus Christ” – Pope Benedict, Address to Youth, NYC

As I was sitting on the plane I was reflecting on what our country needed from the Pope. There were certainly expectations of what people thought he needed to do or say to play nice with the American church, but it seemed that we needed something more. It never really clicked until I was there, in his presence, that I understood what he came for. He came to give us Jesus.  What he said pointed us to Jesus. What he did pointed us to Jesus. How he prayed pointed us to Jesus.

I am overwhelmed with reflection as I sit here tonight thinking about the past few days. How often we all try to complicate or over analyze things. How often the news pundits or newspapers distract us from the simple beauty or truth of the situation. The Pope didn’t come to condemn us or talk about where we have failed (even thought there was a place for that discussion), nor did he come to talk about the rules we need to follow. The Pope came to reveal to us once again, that Jesus is our hope, Jesus is our fulfillment, and Jesus is our ultimate end of love and happiness.  In a gentle way he encouraged us to see the good in country and told us to hold on to the truth of why we exist and live in a free land. Expressing the dangers of secularism and relativism, he proclaimed that there is more to life then he passing ways of our culture. He expressed that an encounter with the risen Lord is the key to being person in of faith and gave us the responsibility to share that encounter with all Americans. The pope came to redefine the context of the Catholic Church in America and gave us a mission to be people of hope to those in our lives. “Jesus is our only hope!” he proclaimed.

My friends, the American culture is stunned and at a loss of words as they experienced the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to our country. They were waiting for him to make one small wrong move, or to say something that would capture their negative thoughts about the Church. They waited for six days and Pope Benedict got on a plane yesterday night and there were stunned that they did not receive their wish. The Pope came to play ball this week and the negative culture out to get the Church was left at a stand still. In the end the negative stereotypes, the claims that he was too old and out of touch, or even old fashioned didn’t stick. Over the past few days, to most if not all of America, the Pope was larger than life, full of energy, and exactly what our Church needed. It just goes to tell you that our culture is not the answer, there is more to America, more to the Church and more to our lives!

Living in the shadow of Pope Benedict XVI is living the shadow of Jesus. Jesus came to visit this week. He in real way was present to our country, lifting us up, encouraging us to be people of faith and an example to all the world. Jesus came to visit and we as country are truly changed. Jesus is our only hope my friends! May you experience, like me, the true beauty of our Church, the Pope as the Vicar of Christ, and embrace the reality in our lives that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life!

God Bless You,

Rusty

Question of the week: What was your favorite part of the Pope’s visit to America?

|