Hey Yall,
As you may know by now, the Catholic Church has a new pope. The college of cardinals has elected Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina as the new Bishop of Rome. Cardinal Bergoglio has chosen the name Francis in honor of St. Francis Assisi. This time is a great opportunity for us to renew ourselves in our commitment to faith just as the new pope will likely renew his own faith as he takes the next step in his and our own faith lives.
What I like best about this papal election is that it seems to bring the church a much needed balance. Being a bishop and cardinal, Bergoglio represents the hierarchical element of the church. As a Jesuit priest, he represents the many religious communities in constant pursuit of God through lives of poverty, chastity, and obedience. And through his humble living and strong care for the poor, he has a very direct relationship with those of us who sit in the pews each week looking for guidance amid the harsh realities our world shows us sometimes. I look forward to seeing where his leadership brings the church, but let's also remember that we are just as important and necessary contributors to the development of the church as our new pope is. We may have a new Vicar of Christ (representative of Christ) in Rome, but we are also called to be our vicars of Christ to our own communities.
We are the Body of Christ so let us also be the church! In light of today, let us cherish the understanding that the Spirit moves where it will but is always guiding us toward the love of God through joy and peace.
May we be ever-faithful, ever-mindful, and ever-joyful.
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