Beware: Don't Compare.... the Popes.

Alright, alright, it is only "natural" to compare them. Its even riveting at times - like putting together a puzzle of sorts. However, lets remember that its not a holy competition, and the Holy Spirit works mysteriously in the Church. I've heard, "Pope Benedict resigned, Pope John Paul II should have too." "Pope Francis wears old shoes, he's more humble than Pope Benedict." While in truth there is a unique and beautiful cultural, religious tradition in each one that we can only begin to understand and appreciate.

Just as we all (hopefully) know and love  the Church, but we can't help but relate to Her and see Her through the eyes of our heritage, so each of these Holy Fathers have their own set of eyes. Poland. Germany. Argentina. Each expresses themselves as Vicar of Christ as they are... like (like - as in similar but not exactly) the Gospel writers.

I think of the development of the Church throughout the centuries. The Church today (always the same, always changing) is not the same Church as the one that Pope John Paul II greeted with the phrase, "Be not afraid."  Just like St. Paul writing to the different churces of Asia Minor took on different ways of speaking to convey his particular message, so the Holy Spirit speaks through the Bishop of Rome to speak to the Church of today.

Remarkably fascinating. (I always pronounce that fask-in-ating when typing it out - ever since first grade. I was so proud.) So it is that we see the journey of the Church in the last two successions to the See of Peter. We marvel at the profound working of the Holy Spirit with a bunch of human intellects and egos, and we rejoice to have one voice to speak and billions to listen.

We pray, therefore, for the continued blessing upon Pope Francis and our Mother the Church. We pray to be open to all Christ wishes to share with us in our little Franciscan, Jesuit Father!