Pope Francis recently appointed twenty-one new Cardinals from various countries to reflect a more global and synodal Church, reaching out to its peripheries. In his letter to the cardinal elects, whom he refers to as “brothers,” he expressed and outlined their role as members of the Roman clergy:
“I urge you to make every effort as a Cardinal to embody the three attitudes that an Argentinian poet, Francisco Luis Bernárdez, once used to characterize Saint John of the Cross—attitudes that are equally applicable to us: ‘eyes raised, hands joined, feet bare.’
Eyes raised, because your service will require you to extend your vision and open your heart, allowing you to see further and love more expansively and fervently. You are invited to sit with John of the Cross ‘at the school of his gaze’ (Benedict XVI), which gazes upon the pierced side of Christ.
Hands joined, because what the Church most needs—alongside the preaching of the Gospel—is your prayer, enabling you to shepherd the flock of Christ effectively. Prayer is the realm of discernment that guides us in seeking and discovering God’s will for our community and following it faithfully.
Feet bare, for they touch the harsh realities of the many areas in the world burdened by pain and suffering due to war, discrimination, persecution, hunger, and various forms of poverty; these realities will demand great compassion and mercy from you.
I thank you for your generosity and assure you of my prayers that the title of “servant” (deacon) will increasingly overshadow the title of ‘eminence.’”
The Holy Father’s letter beautifully reflects Jesus’ admonition to His disciples in this Sunday’s Gospel in Mark 10:35-45: whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
What is striking about his letter to the cardinal-elects is his desire that their title should express their servanthood more strongly than the traditional prestige associated with “eminence.” He urges them to remain humble, broadening their hearts and empathizing with those suffering from war, discrimination, persecution, hunger, and all forms of poverty.
Pope Francis’ message to the new Cardinals is a message for us as well. We must stop viewing clerical titles and positions as glorious distinctions and instead recognize them as greater responsibilities to serve the Church and humankind.
We must pray for all those entrusted with significant responsibilities within the Church to fulfill their duties with holiness, to preach the Gospel passionately and persistently, and to be courageous prophets who denounce all forms of oppression and injustice in the world.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
