WHITE SMOKE
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Back in fourth grade (when the Dead Sea was still alive, as my kids like to say), I envied friends who went to CCD after school. (fyi: CCD stands for Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, or simply Catechism.) I had no clue what that was, but watching them walking off together, laughing and talking, made me quite envious. I wanted to join them.
But that’s as close to Catholicism as I got. I’m a Methodist who attends South Congregational Church in Kennebunkport throughout the winter and episcopal services at Trinity Chapel in Kennebunk Beach during the summer. You may wonder why I feel the need to weigh in on the conclave as we wait for white smoke to rise over the Vatican, signaling the selection of a new Pontiff. For numerous reasons, I just want to.
I admired and respected the late Pope Francis, particularly in our current environment where prevarication is becoming a norm, where the Oval Office displays more gold and glitter than a fleet of Tiffany windows during December, where the daily bombast and exaggerations from Washington are wearing me out, and where our senators and congressmen(women) act like a bunch of namby-pambies who can’t do or agree to anything. We need more of Francis’ legacy of simplicity, humility, kindness and action in our world right now.
When Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope on March 13, 2013, he chose the name Francis to honor St. Francis of Assisi who lived a life of humble service to the poor. His motto was “Miserando aqua eligendo” which loosely translates to “lowly, but chosen.” He donated his monthly salary of $32,000 to charity.
This amazing man rode a Harley Davidson, giving extra meaning to the term “holy roller.” His favorite meal was “Bagna Cauda,” a robust garlic, anchovy and olive oil sauce for pasta. (Almas Caviar be damed!) He also devoured pizza and preferred chocolate cake for dessert.
But what I will truly cherish are words spoken by Pope Francis that epitomize his belief in and adherence to a simple and kind life. Here are my favorites:
“A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.”
“Rivers do not drink their own water, trees do not eat their own fruit. The sun does not shine on itself, and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature.”
“The only war we must fight is the one against evil. To be saints is not a privilege for the few, but a vocation for everyone. The love of God is not generic. God looks with love upon every man and woman, calling them by name.”
“We cannot remain indifferent. Today the world has a profound thirst for peace. In many countries, people are suffering due to wars which, though often forgotten, are always the cause of suffering and poverty.”
“Too often we participate in the globalization of indifference. May we strive instead to live in global solidarity.”
“Thank you,” was among the last words spoken by Pope Francis, said to his personal healthcare assistant, Massimiliano Strappetti, who encouraged him to take one last ride in the popemobile through St. Peters Square in Rome. Afterwards, he rested, enjoyed a quiet dinner and then, at dawn, fell ill and died.
May his legacy of grace live on.
