Dear Parishioners and Visitors,
So far, I have lived through six papal conclaves. The first one in my lifetime happened when I was four years old, so I don’t remember that one; but each of the remaining five conclaves is fixed clearly in my memory. I remember where I was and what I was doing each time the white smoke appeared, and the new pope was announced, and he came out on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Each memory is unique; each recalls a thrilling, exciting and inspiring moment.
This past conclave was no exception. When Pope Leo XIV was elected on May 8th, we had the special excitement of having the first North American pope in the history of the Church. Now we can look forward to learning more about him, reading his writings, and watching his actions. It’s a fun time to be Catholic! Brief appearances of Pope Leo’s brothers on YouTube have been especially entertaining.
One of the most moving interactions between Jesus and Simon Peter in the gospels is recorded in John 21:15-19. That’s the passage where Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” It was wonderful to hear this passage proclaimed during the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis. I don’t know if it will also be used at the special Mass celebrating the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Leo on May 18 (the worship aid for that Mass had not yet been made public at the time that I wrote this); whether it is used or not, there’s no doubt that the ministry of Peter and his successors is rooted not only in Peter’s faith, but also in his threefold declaration of love for the Lord.
Our Christian life is also rooted in love and expressed by love: our love for God and our love for one another. In the gospel of our Sunday Mass this weekend Jesus will say to us, “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Wow! Of all the signs that we are followers of Christ, our love for one another is our “trademark,” the touchstone of the authenticity of our Christian faith and life.
Let’s renew and increase our commitment to loving thoughts, loving words, and loving actions. This is how all will know that we are Jesus’ disciples.
Blessings,
Fr. Philip