A living love letter
Like many of you, I have been reading tributes to and stories of Pope Francis. Stories such as how every night at 7pm he would call a tiny Roman Catholic church in Gaza to check on them. His last call with them was the Saturday night before Easter. As I read these tributes, reflections and stories, I felt my heart ache for how he lived and how people, especially those who are from marginalized groups or historically oppressed groups, felt seen, valued and loved by him. Some have pointed to how he is what Christians should be like. He was a sweet fragrance to them. Pope Francis gave them hope in humanity or acted as a moral compass for them.
"I am not a Christian or Catholic either. But the news about the Pope's passing still saddens me. The humanity and kindness he showed transcended religion."
"I would like to express my condolences on the passing of Pope Francis. I am not a Christian myself, nor do I belong to any religious community. And yet, something within me resonates with what I call spiritual compassion."
"As a Muslim, I have called him my Imam; he is the true man of God, a wave of peace, and a mercy to mankind."
Those that grew up in the faith, were reminded that ours is a faith that calls us to care for the “least of these”. Pope Francis was not perfect. He knew it and people around him knew it. (For example you can read this reflection from one of his former Papal Secretaries.) That was why he always asked people he met to pray for him.
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35, NIV)
Pope Francis was one of God’s living love letters to the world. I believe that is why many are heartbroken by Pope Francis’ passing. The Gaza church said that they felt “orphaned” by the passing of Pope Francis. He was one tangible way people felt loved by God. However, we, as believers, are all called to be God’s living love letter to the world. Let me say that again, we are God’s living love letter to the world. May God give us all the strength to live out this truth.
