AT THE conclusion of the Chrism Mass in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels last Monday, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez led the packed Church in cheers,”Viva El Nuevo Papa! Viva!” Everyone present, including bishops, priests, deacons and religious, followed his loud shouts of joy and excitement.
We feel this enthusiasm and happiness about our our newly elected pope, Francis, all around the globe. A new vigor and a renewed hope have risen, especially after years of many setbacks in the Roman Catholic Church.
Here in Los Angeles the talks among many people, even non-Catholics, have been about this new leadership. The barber, the banker, the butcher, the grocery checker, the police, the homeless, the hairdresser, and many more types of people have shared their joy and their hope for the Catholic Church.The images of the simple and humble life and ministry of the Argentinian pope have touched their hearts.
Pope Francis’ humble ways have also convicted many of us priests and bishops in our lifestyles and have inspired us to lead the same life of humility and simplicity. They have transformed our homilies and have brought in us renewed zeal for ministry and prayer life.
Indeed, the advent of a new leader and reformer in the midst of crises in Christian living, hierarchy, priesthood, and religious life has always been part of the history of the Church. Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Sienna, John of the Cross and many others arose during a period of counter reform in the Roman Catholic Church when changes needed to happen.
God is alive in our Church! He will not abandon us, he makes all things new! This was also the sentiment of an old monsignor that I met at the Chrism Mass. He is happy that as he comes to his retirement, he sees real hope emerging in the Church.
This new hope in spiritual leadership is grounded not just on intellect and pastoral wisdom but also on the authentic living of one’s faith and calling. As I have shared with parishioners, the most powerful, effective, and loudest message that the new pope has delivered or written is not some encyclical but his authentic witnessing of humility, simplicity and love for the poor.
This is Good News for us, all Christians and citizens of this world. What is much more transformative in leadership now, whether it is in government, business, religious institution, and even in family, is authenticity– “leading by example”.
The First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles speaks of the the power of witnessing: “You know what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of all that he did…”
In the Scriptures, the greatest and most powerful testimony, of course, is the encounter of the Disciples and some women of the Resurrected Christ. It has become the origin and the source of Christian faith and has continually transform people’s lives.
This Easter Sunday, as we are witnessing a new fervor and a renewed hope in our Catholic faith, let us shout cheers of joy. Viva El Nuevo Papa! Long Live the Church! Happy Easter to all!
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Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas attended St. John Seminary in Camarillo, California and earned his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. For twenty years, he has been in the parish ministry of large multi-cultural communities. Since 2002, he has been the pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Los Angeles. Please email Fr. Rodel at [email protected].
