I was taken, however, with the story of Pope Francesco's comments about not judging gay priests. This is a beautiful thing and worthy of commentary. Is it the same as support marriage equality? Of course not and only a zealot would criticize the Pontiff for not embracing the whole LGBTQ civil rights agenda. As I have discovered in my own spiritual life, NOTHING changes quickly. Not my heart, my soul, my prayer disciplines, my faith tradition, my habits...
One of my spiritual directors back in Cleveland said, "Man, just remember to light ONE candle every day - don't make a commitment to fast for a month and make a pilgrimage on your knees - just do one little thing at a time. And over the course of a life time, you will have changed profoundly." It reminds me of a song Arlo used to sing - one that my children and I worked into the ground - and one that might make sense here...
That's the blessing of Francesco's confession when he said: "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge them?" Has the Vatican changed - and all of Roman Catholicism? No - not any more than my own United Church of Christ has changed just because some of us have become Open and Affirming congregations. But these words are the polar opposite of his predecessor, Benedict, who was doctrinaire and rigid in ways that made me weep.
So today I give thanks - AGAIN - for Pope Francesco 1. May God grant him many, many years. (read more here: http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-homosexuals-who-am-i-judge)
2 comments:
During my wilderness journey, my guide told me that insights--flashes of awareness, if you will--are not where you Are, but lights at the end of the tunnel: where you are going, that is. There is still all the work needed to Get There (emphasis mine). I'd say that Pope Francis has offered the Vatican and the world the equivalent of an insight, and hard work remains to get to the place he has illuminated.
Thanks for posting RJ and also comments from Pete. This Pope is really a breath of fresh air and I am hopeful even if change will be slow, it will come. Blessings
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