Not My Own Agenda, Lord, But Yours
Cardinal Prevost (now Pope Leo XIV) and Pope Francis
A lot of thought was given to what everyone wanted in a new pope. Of course I have my own opinion of what I think the Church needs. I forget that it doesn’t really matter what I think as it’s God’s will that I pray for. That means that whatever the outcome, I ought to surrender to it, accept it, even rejoice in it. Except, I know what kind of man should sit in St. Peter’s seat. Just ask me. I know I ought to be open to whoever it is. I also know that it’s easy to say, but hard to put my own agenda aside.
And then we see white smoke…
Habemus Papam! (We have a Pope!) Hope surged through me as the newly elected Pope walked out onto the balcony in St. Peter’s square. Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, offered peace to the people of God. He thanked Pope Francis for his leadership and evoked words of encounter and mercy to all, fundamental tenets of the Gospels. He spoke of mission and care for the poor. He will steer the ship in his own unique way, charting a course in the trajectory of Pope Francis. And, yet, he is not Francis.
Moses implores God, “Please let me see your glory!” In this marvelous passage from Exodus (33), Moses thinks he can handle all of God’s goodness. What does God do? He covers Moses with his hand and passes by, only allowing him to see God’s back. God knows that Moses can’t handle seeing all of God. Like Moses, we think we can handle seeing all of God’s glory. God knows better. Today when I watched Pope Leo XIV speak, I marveled at seeing a shard of God’s glory in the man just given the keys to the Church.
Pope Leo XIV is not a god nor should we expect him to be. He does not know all or see all. He is a human person and will make mistakes. He does have a particular closeness with God by his office that will lead and guide him in the coming days. He seems to approach his new calling with humility and joy. May he remain close to Jesus so he can lead us in truth and integrity. May we give him a chance and the benefit of our patience.
Already, there is harsh criticism of this man who barely stepped out onto the balcony in St. Peter’s Square. How easily the far-right Catholic groups have slipped into worry, judgement and vitriol based on some tweets and his “radical Pope Francis agenda.” For example, Life Site News has a blog by the co-founder and CEO: “5 Worrying Things You Need to Know About Pope Leo XIV.” Already. Talk about a stiff-necked people. Please take great care when reading articles from Life Site News. Ask yourself, what is their agenda?
What will we learn from Pope Leo XIV? Some would say there is nothing new to learn. Instead, we must protect and defend the Deposit of Faith. Except, God’s revelation continues to teach us today. Through the centuries, God is ever-slowly, sometimes painfully so, moving his hand so that we can glimpse revelation in new ways. In the next life, we will see God in all God’s fullness, but until then let us see what God allows us to see. I pray that the Faithful, the Body of Christ, listens with open hearts and open minds. I pray for a transformation in the Church, not just in the United States, but around the globe. Unity can only happen if we acknowledge the diversity in the Church, listen to one another, and learn from one another and change our lives. One body, many parts, as St. Paul exhorts. And each part is different. Each part is essential to the healthy functioning of the body.
In the spirit of Moses, we cry out to God, “Please let me see your glory!” May we have the eyes, the humility and the grace to catch glimpses of God’s revelation (agenda) through the words and example of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.
