Faith Runs Deep

Today is Tuesday a strange day to think of my religion or faith. But today is the Inaugural Mass of Pope Francis. Most who read probably did not watch the Mass on TV. But I have been watching the events from the Vatican for the last few weeks.
It is funny in 1978 I was 10 my mother sat us down in front of the TV and said you may not see an election of a Pope again until you are an adult. As strange as learning about the white or black smoke. It was still fresh in our minds less than 2 months later when we were sitting in the same place again. Watching it again. I did not know that we now would not see it again until we were adults. I know now it would not be until 2005 in April. I had come home from work for lunch and again sat and watched the white smoke. My car died on the way back to work. The following day I got a new car. Now here in the same house I watched in 2005 in 2013 I again watched for the smoke. It did not come until I had left for work. When I got to work I saw the news that a new Pope had been elected.

In my life my Grandma Helen went to Rome and visited the Vatican. It was the same year as my First Communion. She brought me back a crystal rosary in a pink plastic box with a picture of the Vatican on it. I have only carried it on special occasions but twice last year. My nieces Emily and Ashley and nephew Paul's First Communion and for my Grandmother's Funeral.

Today I watched the Mass and thought of my Catholic Heritage. My parents both grew up in Catholic households. My mom went to Catholic School. Grandma Helen was a pillar of the Church. Someone I could not live up to her standards and Aunt Jan who did readings for church and spent time in many Abbeys with Monks and Priests.

I do not think my sisters sat their kids in front of the TV so I do not think the importance was impressed upon them even though they are at the same ages we were for the elections of both John Paul and John Paul II. So will the tradition carry on. Will they be faithful?

Pope Francis. First of all I love the name and can not believe there has never been a Pope named Francis before. St. Francis of Assisi and his animals. Of course that speaks to me. And his vow to poverty. In this day and age I think it is a bold sign for a man of his stature to make a point to go back to his hotel and pay his bill himself. Just seeing that act made me think this man has character and pride as well as a true sense of what is right.

I don't even believe that he has to live a life of poverty but to live a life of a more common man. Not to be above the rest of us but stand with us in our hour of need. Not to pray over you but hold your hand when you need it to be held.  I saw an example of that this week at church myself. Ther Rev. Ramiro Ros filling in this week for Vicki while she holds the hand of her mother as she fights her battle with Leukimia.

Rev. Ros spoke of a sad time in a friends life after he had just become a grandfather. His grandson suddenly passed away. He said God gives us children but doesn't tell us for how long. Words that of course spoke to me. I nudged Brian. Sometimes I don't see that things touch him like me. Well I start crying so you can not miss when words like this touch me. But Rev went on to say the "Peace of God that surpasses all understanding." Only through Grace and Mercy in the midst of awful painful situations when you feel this Grace. It is as though something dark has been lifted and you are now free. I had a similar feeling once before. I was at church at this Lenten time of the year. The priest that was saying Mass said that if you come to confession this week. I will hear your confession and take your pain away with me back to Chicago. I thought about it hard. I do not like confession no one wants to dwell on the times you have done wrong or not done right. But on Wednesday night I went I was there early. I waited and did my confession and as I spoke to the Priest I told him of my sins but also that his words had brought me there. I wanted the pain to go that I carry with me. And not that it was a miracle but I was suprized that I did feel a weight lifted and when I think of those times I think of him not even remembering me but taking my pain with him. So as the  Reverend said at the end of his Sermon, "Bring the situation to God and even for the 100th time He will give you the Peace of God."

Normally when we leave church we go out the side door. We do not stick around Brian and I both have to go to work. But this Sunday I said lets go out the back. We followed the crowd. And stopped for a moment and Brian shook hands with the Reverend. I said Brian tell him of your loss. Of course this is not in his nature. He like me would rather suffer in silence alone at this moment. The Reverend moved me after Brian told him that he had recently lost 3 generations in a murderous act. The Reverend hugged Brian and prayed for peace to come to him. Now just thinking about it I can feel the tears. I know to most of the world that was 10 months ago but it is still as fresh as a paper cut. I do not know that the thoughts and memories from last May will ever be less fresh in my mind but I pray for Brian and his family. I pray for the Peace and Grace of God and today I also pray for Pope Francis. Who I believe after just a week he understands this Grace and Mercy and how special it is to be chosen as he has.

Amen.