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.