INBOX INSPIRATIONS
August 7, 2024
Pope Francis – 1
Dear Friends,
Today begins a series of Inbox Inspirations on Pope Francis. These reflections will give a very limited but helpful sampling of his writings. The focus will be on some of Pope Francis’ encyclicals and apostolic exhortations. My goal is to share an appreciation of this man, the 267th successor to Saint Peter. First, a word about his motto!
Father Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J., was consecrated auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1993. In 1998 he was named Archbishop of Buenos Aires and then was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001. When he was elected Pope in 2013, he selected for his motto Miserando atque Eligendo, the Latin words that are translated as By Having Mercy and By Choosing. This had already been his motto as a bishop.
Francis’ motto is drawn from the Catholic Liturgy of the Hours. It comes from a homily given by the Venerable Bede (English monk and scholar, 8th century) on Saint Matthew. Pope Francis sees Jesus as having mercy on Matthew for his attachment to money and then choosing him as an apostle. Francis’ choice of these words seems to indicate a pastoral approach of mercy or compassion and calling forth others to share in the ministry of the Church.
An encyclical is a papal letter that is addressed to all the bishops in the world or to the bishops of a particular country. The word encyclical comes from the Greek word for circle, and thus it means a letter intended for all who are included as recipients. An encyclical usually reflects on doctrinal, moral, or social teachings of the Church. It may focus on contemporary issues in a certain country or in the world in general. Pope Francis has written four encyclicals.
An apostolic exhortation is another form of papal document. This does not define Church doctrine or produce new directives for the Church. Instead, an apostolic exhortation usually encourages a particular virtue or some kind of activity. Pope Francis has issued seven apostolic exhortations.
In the next several columns, we will look at just a few of Pope Francis’ encyclicals and exhortations and reflect on some excerpts from them. I hope that this will give an appreciation of the Holy Father’s spirituality, vision, and direction.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
August 14, 2024
Pope Francis – 2
Dear Friends,
Today’s column is looking at two excerpts from the first encyclical that Pope Francis wrote, Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith). The Pope issued this on June 29, 2013, the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul: Peter as the leader of faith designated by Christ and Paul as the apostle who brought faith to the gentiles. This encyclical was issued just three months after Francis was elected Pope.
So, right from the start, the Holy Father sees the urgency of bringing faith to our world.
“There is an urgent need, then, to see once again that faith is a light, for once the flame of faith dies out, all other lights begin to dim. The light of faith is unique, since it is capable of illuminating every aspect of human existence… Faith, received from God as a supernatural gift, becomes a light for our way, guiding our journey through time. On the one hand, it is a light coming from the past, the light of the foundational memory of the life of Jesus which revealed his perfectly trustworthy love, a love capable of triumphing over death. Yet since Christ has risen and draws us beyond death, faith is also a light coming from the future and opening before us vast horizons which guide us beyond our isolated selves towards the breadth of communion.”
Pope Francis is very aware of the struggle with faith in today’s world. He urges us as persons of faith to engage positively with people.
“Because faith is a way, it also has to do with the lives of those men and women who, though not believers, nonetheless desire to believe and continue to seek. To the extent that they are sincerely open to love and set out with whatever light they can find, they are already, even without knowing it, on the path leading to faith. They strive to act as if God existed, at times because they realize how important he is for finding a sure compass for our life in common or because they experience a desire for light amid darkness... Anyone who sets off on the path of doing good to others is already drawing near to God, is already sustained by his help, for it is characteristic of the divine light to brighten our eyes whenever we walk towards the fullness of love.”
This series on Pope Francis will continue next week.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
August 21, 2024
Pope Francis – 3
Dear Friends,
In 2013, Pope Francis issued an Apostolic Exhortation entitled Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel). He wrote this to encourage the entire Church “to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization.”
The Holy Father clearly sees faith as a positive, joyful experience and opportunity.
“I invite all Christian everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ.” A few paragraphs later he sheds some light on this encounter by quoting Pope Benedict XVI: “Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.”
Pope Francis continues:
“Thanks solely to this encounter or renewed encounter – with God’s love, which blossoms into an everlasting friendship, we are liberated from our narrowness and self-absorption. We become fully human when we become more than human, when we let God bring us beyond ourselves in order to attain the fullest truth of our being.”
Pope Francis wants us priests and all of us to see faith and the Gospel positively and not in a negative or narrow way.
“When preaching is faithful to the Gospel… it becomes clear that Christian morality is not a form of stoicism, or self-denial, or merely…a catalogue of sins and faults. Before all else, the Gospel invites us to respond to the God of love who saves us, to see God in others and to go forth from ourselves to seek the good of others.”
The Holy Father’s passionate concern for the poor simply follows from the above.
“Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society. This demands that we be docile and attentive to the cry of the poor and to come to their aid.”
Pope Francis, from firsthand ministry to the poor in Argentina, sees evangelization and our encounter with Christ not just as an intellectual matter or a list of beliefs. Instead, he sees the act of bringing the gospel to others as living Jesus’ command to care for those in need whether on an individual, community, national, or international level.
Next week we will continue looking at the thoughts and teachings of Pope Francis.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
August 28, 2024
Pope Francis – 4
Dear Friends,
In 2015, Pope Francis issued an encyclical entitled Laudato Si.’ These Italian words are translated into English Be praised or Praised be. These are the very first words from the well-known Canticle of Creation written by Saint Francis of Assisi probably in the year 1225. The entire first line of the Canticle is: “Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures.”
The English subtitle for Pope Francis’ encyclical is On Care for Our Common Home. So, the Holy Father is concerned about the environment, the earth, and ecology. He notes that he draws upon the teachings of prior Popes and the best scientific data and research available. Here are a few excerpts that give an idea of this encyclical.
Some of the problems:
“Some forms of pollution are part of people’s daily experience. Exposure to atmospheric pollutants produce a broad spectrum of health hazards…”
“Account must also be taken of the pollution produced by residue, including dangerous waste present in different areas.”
“These problems are closely linked to a throwaway culture which…reduces things to rubbish. We have not yet managed to adopt a circular model of production capable of preserving resources …”
“Climate change is a global problem with grave implications…Its worst impact will probably be felt by developing countries…There has been a tragic rise in the number of migrants seeking to flee from the growing poverty caused by environmental degradation.”
“Fresh drinking water is an issue of primary importance…water supplies used to be relatively constant, but now in many places demand exceeds sustainable supply…”
Some important elements in our faith tradition:
“The creation accounts in the book of Genesis contain…profound teachings about human existence... They suggest that human life is grounded in three fundamental and closely entwined relationships: with God, with our neighbor and with the earth itself.”
“These ancient stories, full of symbolism, bear witness to a conviction which we today share, that everything is interconnected, and that genuine care for our own lives and our relationship with nature is inseparable from fraternity, justice and faithfulness to others.”
“For believers, this becomes a question of fidelity to the Creator, since God created the world for everyone. Hence every ecological approach needs to incorporate a social perspective which takes into account the fundamental rights of the poor and the underprivileged.”
There is much more in Laudato Si’ and I encourage you to read it. This series on Pope Francis will continue next week.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
September 4, 2024
Pope Francis – 5
Dear Friends,
Today’s column continues last week’s focus on Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’. Again, the topic is the earth, the environment, and ecology.
Pope Francis proposes some guidance for an ecological spirituality. He begins by calling us to look beyond ourselves.
“We are always capable of going out of ourselves toward the other…Disinterested concern for others, and the rejection of every form of self-centeredness and self-absorption are essential if we truly wish to care for our brothers and sisters and for the natural environment.”
Next the Holy Father wisely notes the importance of appreciating beauty.
“By learning to see and appreciate beauty, we learn to reject self-interested pragmatism. If someone has not learned to stop and admire something beautiful, we should not be surprised if he or she treats everything as an object to be used and abused without scruple.”
Pope Francis calls us to an inner conversion.
“It must be said that some committed and prayerful Christians, with the excuse of realism and pragmatism, tend to ridicule expressions of concern for the environment. Others are passive; they choose not to change their habits and thus become inconsistent. So, what they all need is ‘ecological conversion’ whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in their relationship with the world around them.”
Pope Francis invites us to live with less.
“Christian spirituality proposes an alternative understanding of the quality of life…We need to take up an ancient lesson, found in different religious traditions and also in the Bible. It is the conviction that ‘less is more…’ Christian spirituality proposes a growth marked by moderation and the capacity to be happy with little.”
Finally, Pope Francis recommends a specific or concrete way to help with all of this.
“One expression of this attitude is when we stop and give thanks to God before and after meals. I ask all believers to return to this beautiful and meaningful custom. That moment of blessing, however brief, reminds us of our dependence on God for life; it strengthens our feeling of gratitude for the gifts of creation; it acknowledges those who by their labors provide us with these goods; and it reaffirms our solidarity with those in greatest need.”
This series on Pope Francis will continue next week.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
September 11, 2024
Pope Francis – 6
Dear Friends,
In 2018, Pope Francis wrote an Apostolic Exhortation entitled Gaudete Et Exsultate (Rejoice And Be Glad). The subtitle explains its focus: On the Call to Holiness in Today’s World.
The Holy Father is clear that living a holy life is not just for monks in monasteries, vowed religious and ordained priests. It is everyone’s calling.
“At its core, holiness is experiencing, in union with Christ, the mysteries of his life. It consists in uniting ourselves to the Lord’s death and resurrection in a unique and personal way... But it can also entail reproducing in our own lives various aspects of Jesus’ earthly life: his hidden life, his life in community, his closeness to the outcast, his poverty and other ways in which he showed his self-sacrificing love.”
Pope Francis is clear that the above understanding of holiness can be lived in our different life situations, wherever we find ourselves.
“Are you called to the consecrated life? Be holy by living out your commitment with joy. Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife…Do you work for a living? Be holy by labouring with integrity and skill in the service of your brothers and sisters. Are you a parent or grandparent? Be holy by patiently teaching the little ones how to follow Jesus. Are you in a position of authority? Be holy by working for the common good and renouncing personal gain.”
The heart of this Apostolic Exhortation is the Holy Father’s reflection on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). He sees these Beatitudes as expressing “a portrait of the Master, which we are called to reflect in our daily lives.”
As you know, each of the eight Beatitudes begins with the word “Happy” or “Blessed,”depending upon the translation. Pope Francis sees this word as a synonym for “Holy.” “It expresses the fact that those faithful to God and his word, by their self-giving, gain true happiness.”
He also acknowledges that while the Beatitudes are poetic and beautiful, “they clearly run counter to the way things are usually done in our world… We can only practice them if the Holy Spirit fills us with his power and frees us from our weakness, our selfishness, our complacency and our pride.”
Next week’s Inbox will look at Pope Francis’ reflections on just a few of these Beatitudes.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
September 18, 2024
Pope Francis – 7
Dear Friends,
Today’s column continues our look at Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation entitled Gaudete Et Exsultate (Rejoice And Be Glad). The subtitle explains its focus: On the Call to Holiness in Today’s World. The Holy Father sees Jesus’ eight Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) as providing a path to holiness for all of us, regardless of our vocation or state of life. Today and next week we look at some of these spiritual guideposts.
The first Beatitude is: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” It seems that Jesus puts this first because it is foundational to the other seven. Pope Francis says:
“The gospel invites us to peer into the depths of our heart, to see where we find our security in life…Wealth ensures nothing. Indeed, once we think we are rich, we can become so self-satisfied that we leave no room for God’s word, for the love of our brothers and sisters, or for the enjoyment of the most important things in life…That is why Jesus calls blessed those who are poor in spirit, those who have a poor heart, for there the Lord can enter with his perennial newness.”
Jesus says: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” It is easy to see how this Beatitude flows from the first. Pope Francis comments:
“A person who sees things as they truly are and sympathizes with pain and sorrow is capable of touching life’s depths and finding authentic happiness. He or she is consoled, not by the world but by Jesus. Such persons are unafraid to share in the suffering of others; they do not flee from painful situations. They discover the meaning of life by coming to the aid of those who suffer, understanding their anguish and bringing relief. They sense that the other is flesh of our flesh, and are not afraid to draw near, even to touch their wounds. They feel compassion for others in such a way that all distance vanishes.”
Next week’s Inbox will look at Pope Francis’ reflections on two more Beatitudes.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
September 25, 2024
Pope Francis – 8
Dear Friends,
Today’s column continues to look at Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete Et Exsultate (Rejoice And Be Glad). The subtitle explains its focus: On the Call to Holiness in Today’s World. The Holy Father sees Jesus’ eight Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) as providing a path to holiness for all of us, regardless of our vocation or state of life. Today’s column focuses on two more of these Beatitudes.
Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” Pope Francis offers some excellent insights into this.
“Mercy has two aspects. It involves giving, helping and serving others, but it also includes forgiveness and understanding.” The Holy Father sees this Beatitude summed up in what is called the golden rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).
Pope Francis adds, “Giving and forgiving means reproducing in our lives some small measure of God’s perfection, which gives and forgives superabundantly.” Also, “Jesus does not say, ‘Blessed are those who plot revenge.’ He calls ‘blessed’ those who forgive and do so ‘seventy times seven.’”
Let’s look at just one more Beatitude. Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Pope Francis looks at this both globally and personally.
“This Beatitude makes us think of the many endless situations of war in our world. Yet we ourselves are often a cause of conflict or at least of misunderstanding…The world of gossip…does not bring peace.
“Peacemakers truly ‘make’ peace; they build peace and friendship in society…
“It is not easy to ‘make’ this evangelical peace, which excludes no one but embraces even those who are a bit odd, troublesome or difficult, demanding, different, beaten down by life or simply uninterested. It is hard work…Not can it attempt to ignore or disregard conflict; instead, it must face conflict head on, resolve it, and make it a link in the chain of a new process.”
Next week’s Inbox will look at one last document and theme of Pope Francis.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
October 2, 2024
Pope Francis – 9
Dear Friends,
Today, October 2, marks the opening of the Synod on Synodality in Rome. Before saying anything else, let me try to explain what a synod is.
The word synod comes from the Greek word synodos, which means a coming together or a meeting. Historically, synods refer to assemblies or councils of the Church. I think that it is safe to say that the first synod in Christianity was the Council of Jerusalem held in the year 50 CE and remembered in the New Testament book called The Acts of the Apostles. That council dealt with the thorny issue of whether gentile (non-Jewish) converts to Christianity had to observe the Jewish laws and practices. In general, a synod is an assembly where leaders of our Church come together to discuss and maybe decide on matters of doctrine, administration, and practice.
Now, back to the current synod. This Synod on Synodality is really part of a multi-year process initiated by Pope Francis. The first formal meeting or beginning of the Synod on Synodality was in 2021. Since that time, there has been a process of consultation, dialogue, and solicitation of input throughout the entire Church and potentially from all persons in the Church. I recall facilitating two sessions of dialogue at a parish where a total of about sixty parishioners gave their time and faith experience to this process.
The Synod on Synodality involves a diverse group of participants, including:
· Cardinals and bishops from around the world, representing various episcopal conferences, countries, and dioceses
· Priests and deacons who are active in Church ministry
· Men and women religious, representing various institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life
· Laypersons from different backgrounds representing ordinary members of the Church
· Some theologians and other specialists to provide input and insight on various issues
· Some representatives of other Christian denominations and faiths to foster religious dialogue and understanding.
There have been other recent synods with other themes, like the Synod on the Family in 2014. The current synod is focused on synodality itself. The intention is to encourage participation in the direction and mission of the Church from all segments of the Catholic faithful. Pope Francis sees this as important for the present and future of the Church. More on this with some of Pope Francis’ statements next week!
Fr. Michael Schleupner
October 9, 2024
Pope Francis – 10
Dear Friends,
On October 9, 2021, Pope Francis addressed the first session of the Synod on Synodality.Last Wednesday, October 2, 2024, marked the beginning of the second session of this Synod. In his opening address back in 2021, the Holy Father emphasized three traits as essential for synodality in the Church: communion, participation, and mission.
Pope Francis first links together communion and mission. He sees them as core to the identity of the Church.
“Communion and mission are theological terms describing the mystery of the Church… The Second Vatican Council clearly taught that communion expresses the very nature of the Church, while pointing out that the Church has received ‘the mission of proclaiming and establishing among all peoples the kingdom of Christ and of God, and is, on earth, the seed and beginning of that kingdom’ (Lumen Gentium, 5)... Saint Paul VI sought to distil in those two words – communion and mission – ‘the main lines enunciated by the Council’. Commemorating the opening of the Council, he stated that its main lines were in fact ‘communion, that is, cohesion and interior fullness, in grace, truth and collaboration… and mission, that is, apostolic commitment to the world of today’ (Angelus of 11 October 1970).
Pope Francis then moves to participation. A hallmark of his papacy is his desire to encourage all to participate in the mission of the Church.
“This is not a matter of form, but of faith. Participation is a requirement of the faith received in baptism. As the Apostle Paul says, ‘in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body’ (1 Cor 12:13). In the Church, everything starts with baptism. Baptism, the source of our life, gives rise to the equal dignity of the children of God… Consequently, all the baptized are called to take part in the Church’s life and mission. Without real participation by the People of God, talk about communion risks remaining a devout wish.”
Stated simply, synodality consists of Christians walking together in communion with Christ. It involves listening, dialogue, and discernment at all levels of Church life. The intent is do the mission God has given us and relate to today’s world as effectively as possible. Pope Francis sees this – synodality – as the future mode or style of the Church.
Next week’s column will conclude this series on Pope Francis.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
October 16, 2024
Pope Francis – 11
Dear Friends,
The present Pope is the 267th successor to Saint Peter and is the first to choose Francis as his papal name. Soon after being elected in 2013, he explained his choice of this name.
“Some people wanted to know why the Bishop of Rome wished to be called Francis…. I will tell you the story. During the election, I was seated next to the Archbishop Emeritus of Sao Paulo and Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy, Cardinal Claudio Hummes, a good friend, a good friend! When things were looking dangerous, he encouraged me. And when the votes reached two-thirds, there was the usual applause, because the pope had been elected. And he gave me a hug and a kiss, and said, ‘Don’t forget the poor!’ And those words came to me: the poor, the poor. Then, right away, thinking of the poor, I thought of Francis of Assisi. Then I thought of all the wars…. Francis is also the man of peace. That is how the name came into my heart: Francis of Assisi. For me, he is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation…. He is the man who gives us this spirit of peace, the poor man…. How I would like a Church which is poor and for the poor!” (From Words of Challenge and Hope by Pope Francis).
Francis’ choice of a name reveals a lot about his inner spirit. It is little wonder that he wants the Church at all levels to have a commitment to the poor and to peace. He wants us to live what we speak.
“Let us all remember this: One cannot proclaim the Gospel of Jesus without the tangible witness of one’s life. Those who listen to us and observe us must be able to see in our actions what they hear from our lips, and so give glory to God.
“…Inconsistency on the part of pastors and the faithful between what they say and what they do, between word and manner of life, is undermining the Church’s credibility” (From Homily of April 14, 2013 by Pope Francis).
I will do one more Inbox on Pope Francis next week.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
October 23, 2024
Pope Francis – 12
Dear Friends,
Today I am concluding this series on Pope Francis with two statements of his that have positively influenced me as a person and as a priest.
First, in a letter of September 13, 2013, Pope Francis responded to some questions of an Italian journalist who is a non-believer. At one point, the Holy Father responded to a question about the originality of Christianity.
“The originality…lies precisely in the fact that faith makes us participate, in Jesus, in the relationship that He has with God who is Abba and, in this light, the relationship that He has with all other [persons], including enemies…. In other words,... we are all called to be children of the one Father and brothers [and sisters] among ourselves. The singularity of Jesus is for communication, not for exclusion.”
This clarity on communication and inclusion and not for exclusion lies at the heart of our faith and of my priestly ministry. We are not to take comfort in feeling included in God’s family by excluding others and seeing them as outsiders or less than us. In fact, Jesus calls us to do the opposite. Pope Francis has been leading us in this direction and I greatly respect him for this.
In one of his homilies, Pope Francis described the role of a bishop. I believe his ideas apply equally to a priest in his role as pastor of a parish.
“He [the bishop or pastor] will sometimes go before his people, pointing the way and keeping their hope vibrant. At other times, he will simply be in their midst with his unassuming and merciful presence. At yet other times, he will have to walk after them, helping those who lag behind and – above all – allowing the flock to strike out on new paths.”
This image has spoken to me about my role as priest. We priests sometimes need to lead with vision and maybe prophetic challenge. Sometimes we simply walk with others as part of the community of faith in the mission given us by Jesus. At other times we let others take the lead with their competencies and energies that we may not have. This, I believe, is the way to be a priest in this century, the way to bring the love of God to all and to attract all to God’s family.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
