Pope Francis passed away this week. While I am no longer Catholic, my early formational life was shaped by the Catholic Worker Movement and the type of ministry that Pope Francis brought to his church. He emphasized that a Christ centered life involves putting Jesus at the center of daily choices and actions, allowing His love to guide one’s life. He taught that true Christian living is about bearing witness to Christ through love and service to others. I celebrate with my Catholic cousins this week as they mourn and celebrate his life.
Francis stood as a beacon of humility, compassion, and mercy, tirelessly advocating for the marginalized and oppressed. His profound spirituality and dedication to fostering peace and understanding among different faiths reflect the essence of his Christ-centered mission. In every sermon and public appearance, Pope Francis called for a return to the core values of Christianity, urging believers to live out their faith with love, justice, and a spirit of service towards others. Like Jesus, he was not afraid to stand up to the religious conservatives and speak to what was right and challenge blind faith.
This week, I want to explore his legacy and how we can embrace his spiritual walk in ours.
Influences of Latin American Liberation Theology
Francis was closely associated with the “Theology of the People,” an Argentine theological current that shares Liberation Theology’s concern for the poor but emphasizes popular culture and spirituality. In his thinking, and reading the linked article, you see a concept I grew up as a social worker student at Gannon University, a Catholic University – preferential option for the poor. This core principle of Liberation Theology, emphasizing God’s concern for the marginalized, strongly resonates with Pope Francis. His constant calls for social justice, his focus on the poor, and his critiques of economic inequality reflect this influence. This continues to be a driving doctrine of thought for me and is heavily represented in the Benedictine Order that I am associated with.
Reflecting on the Latin American Liberation Theologian, Gustavo Guttierez, this article “explains that the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures “point the finger of blame at those responsible for the situation.” These passages “denounce the social injustice that creates poverty as contrary to the will of God and to the meaning of the liberative deed of God manifested in the exodus from Egypt” (Gutierrez, A Theology of Liberation, 238; he also takes up this theme in On Job: God-Talk and the Suffering of the Innocent).” Francis was not afraid to do the same. In this same article, the author points out these words from Francis, this time reflecting on Francis’ writing, the Evangelii Gaudium.
A mere glance at the Scriptures is enough to make us see how our gracious Father wants to hear the cry of the poor: “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them.” (Ex3:7-8).
For the pope, the whole Bible is “marked by God’s love for the weak and abused of human history.” The message of the Bible is that everyone is precious in God’s eyes. In turning to the New Testament, the pope draws on both the teachings of Jesus as well as the actions of Jesus.
Francis to his end maintained that God had a special place for the poor. This has been my clarion call my entire career as a social worker, pastor and therapist.
Spiritual Influences
I mistakenly believed until recently that Pope Francis was Franciscan given his name, instead I realized he was a Jesuit. Both monastic influences can tell us a lot about his system of belief within the Catholic Church and specifically in his monastic tradition. If you peak underneath the hood, you will see these Jesuit influences on Pope Francis’ life:
A fundamental aspect of Jesuit formation is the “Spiritual Exercises” of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the order. These exercises consist of a series of meditations and prayers designed to deepen one’s relationship with God and discern God’s will. I find this to be a meaningful dialogue with God when I do engage in this spiritual practice. I am always reminded of God’s abundant and grace filled love in these discussions.
Pope Francis’s leadership emphasizes careful listening and reflection. He follows the Jesuits’ tradition of serving the poor and marginalized, advocating for social justice and addressing inequality.
College introduced me to pluralism and interfaith dialogue, which has influenced my spirituality despite my church’s disapproval. Jesuit spirituality emphasizes “finding God in all things,” suggesting God’s presence in everyday life and within people. This approach shaped Pope Francis’s openness to dialogue and his engagement with diverse groups.
Jesuits vow obedience to the Pope, ready to serve the Church wherever needed. They also vow not to seek high positions, making Pope Francis’s papacy rare.
The Jesuits are known for their focus on education and theological study. Pope Francis’s reflections and engagement with modern issues reflect this tradition. Their training emphasizes practical faith application and pastoral care, evident in Pope Francis’s attention to people’s needs.
I can resonate with many of these aspects as they are prominent in the Benedictine tradition I follow. As I consider Chapter 7 in the Rule of Saint Benedict, find Francis’ embodiment of humility inspiring.
Closing Thoughts
In a world where we continue to “other” people, Pope Francis made us see through his provocative statements and pointing out injustices that we are all very close, that we have a responsibility to see the potential seats of Christ in all people. His teachings, deeply rooted in the principles of love, humility, and social justice, invite us to embrace a life where the divine intersects with our daily actions and choices. As we honor his legacy, we are called to reflect on how his unwavering compassion for the oppressed and his relentless pursuit of equity can shape our own paths. His life was a testament to the transformative power of faith when it is lived authentically and courageously. Let us continue to draw inspiration from Pope Francis, embodying the principles of a Christ-centered life in our interactions, advocating for the marginalized, and striving to manifest God’s love in all our endeavors.
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