A father like Francis

I needed Pope Francis.

And not only because I’m part of the Catholic Church and we were without a shepherd . . . I mean I needed him because I’m sinful, and broken, and I need a constant reminder of how to be like Christ.

I have been awestruck by him from the first moment he walked out onto the balcony, to the last news article I read about him.

God knows how many split ends I have, how often I cringe when people chew ice, and where I’m going to be in 5 years.

He understands me and you – His people – and He knew exactly what kind of father-figure we needed to lead us. So He gave us Pope Francis . . .

BECAUSE WE’RE SELF-ABSORBED
You know it’s true.

We all love ourselves a little too much sometimes.

Proof: the most popular websites are social media sites that scream ‘look at me and how great my life is.’

Given the choice we’ll choose comfort, warmth, food, and then diet pills, all for the sake of our own happiness and image.

It’s easier to have an attitude than to set yourself aside, and to live on superficial highs instead of dying to self and carrying your cross.

So here’s a man who is not only willing, but takes joy in serving the Church.

Sure, this is the royal priesthood, but he’s not pampered like royalty.

It’s a tough, demanding job. He could have acted proud and inflated when he was made pope.

Instead, Pope Francis’ attitude said, ‘Here I am to serve you, I want to set myself aside in order to walk this journey with you.’

BECAUSE WE’RE MATERIALISTIC
Excessively.

We just want to be happy and happiness can be bought with a plastic card and taken home in a plastic bag . . . right? Continue reading

Source

Christina Mead is figuring out how to be holy so she can go to heaven and be the patron saint of lifeguards, and is Assistant Director of Resource Development for LifeTeen.

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News category: Analysis and Comment.

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