Habemas Papam

On Wednesday 13 March 2013 the white smoke, ringing bells confirmed by the words habemas papam declared to the world the election of Francis I.

After the extraordinary resignation of the of Pope Benedict XVI, the election of his successor brings in a succession of firsts: the first non european pope for over a thousand years, the first pope from the americas, the first Jesuit pope, and the first to take the name Francis. I confess that I struggle to relate to the wild celebrations in St Peter’s Square, but I do share what one commentator described as a ‘quiet excitement.’ So I am glad that on behalf of 100 million Reformed Christians, Setri Nyomi, the General Secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches immediately wrote to the new pope congratulating him.

The letter began: 

“Dear Pope Francis,

With gratitude to God for your election as the Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church, we congratulate you. We received the news of your election this evening with joy. As we congratulate you, we also assure you of our continued prayers as you begin this major responsibility of your ministry in the Lord’s vineyard.

Your election as the first Latin American Pope signals for us an acknowledgement that the recognition of the Worldwide impact of the Catholic Church. We are touched by your humility. The name you have chosen is a sign for us that attention to the plight of the poor and justice for all people will be important for you.”

We are glad for our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters that this is settled before Holy Week and Easter, as they and we prepare to recall Christ’s passion and celebrate his Resurrection anew. Perhaps this recognition of the global nature of the church and the prioritisation of solidarity with the poor might be seen as signs of new life, of resurrection even in our time.

alistair

a perfect christmas?

‘Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat’ so goes the yuletide song. There is of course an implication in this phrase that our main business, the focus of our energy and attention, over the next few weeks should be about preparing for a feast. Now feasting is important, as is time spent with friends or family, whether that be a quiet day with one old friend or the happy mayhem of a house full with an extended family. And such feasting needs preparation and planning. 

But no amount of following the recipes of TV chefs or the present tips from glossy magazines will ever guarantee ‘the perfect christmas.’  As frail human beings we cannot rule out by careful planning all personal tensions. There is always the possibility of tragedy or trauma for ourselves or our loved ones, and the shadow of sad or difficult events from previous years will never quite go away.

I am not seeking to be unnecessarily pessimistic about this: merely popping the media bubble that an idyllic scene can always be created by human willpower alone. And in painting a more realistic picture I want of course to emphasise alongside our weaknesses that Christ was born for this, and died for this, and lives among this.

And that is why I am so fond of the advent wreath song from the Iona Community that makes a holy parody on the old song like this, ‘Christmas is coming, the Church is glad to sing.’ Singing because, whatever life may throw at us, our gladness and peace and hope and joy lie in Christ whose coming 2000 years ago we celebrate today.