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Sunday Homily 27 April
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A few weeks ago, the world’s media were getting ready for the announcement of the death of Pope Francis. Cardinals who were in Rome were extending their stay anticipating a Conclave. But then we had reports each day on the Pope’s gradual recovery.
However, it was no real surprise that this would prove to be his final illness.
But the shock comes, that just last Sunday, Easter Sunday, he was addressing tens of thousands in St Peter’s Square. Looking frail, but nonetheless, that’s where he wanted to be. Among the people, celebrating the resurrection of the Lord.
Pope Francis was a Pope for his time, as every Pope should be, taking the Gospel virtues which are unchanging, and applying them, according to the situation of the time. Pope Francis I think did this remarkably well.
He confronted the problems of our fractured world. Migration, modern slavery, poverty, homelessness, the environment. He brought people who felt they didn’t belong in the Catholic Church back in, and some of his sharpest criticisms were reserved for priests and nuns, which turned some against him.
But there are two words which were central to Pope Francis’s pontificate: mercy and hope. His first proclamation on his election 12 years ago was to announce the mercy of God. His motto as a bishop and Pope had the same focus. It was imprinted on his soul, when as a young man, he happened to enter a church and go to confession. There he encountered both the mercy of God, and his vocation. Thus he chose as his motto: “Miserando atque eligendo” - having mercy he (God) chose him.
Francis wanted the Church to be characterised by this mercy, suspending condemnation in favour of “walking with” each other. He believed that maturity is achieved through our own struggles. He believed that the mercy of God outweighs the burden of our sins.
Once asked, “Who is Pope Francis?” he replied: “A sinner.” His final pastoral act, just before Easter, was to visit the Regina Coeli prison in Rome, greeting the inmates and declaring that, but for the grace of God, he could have been in their place.
And from this deep trust in the mercy of God sprang his second most powerful characteristic: hope. His voice so often called out to renew efforts to protect those who were without hope, who could see no way forward. He was sharply critical of those who ignored people who had no hope.
Constantly he spoke for those on the margins, challenging us with words such as: “If you want to know how successful your economy is, go and speak with an unemployed person.”
The fullness of Christian hope is, of course, the promise of heaven. Virtually the last words spoken in public by Pope Francis were these: “A happy Easter.” We pray that he is now enjoying the eternal Easter feast.
Today’s Gospel is of Doubting Thomas. Many people today are searching for meaning, and not finding it. Pope Francis by his life demonstrated where meaning is to be found: in following Jesus Christ with simplicity and humility, and in befriending those on the edge of life.
May Pope Francis, beloved of so many, rest in peace.