April 14

If you were at The Table last week, you may recall that Sarah made an
intriguing comment about the new Pope that almost sent me down an
irreversible rabbit trail. Almost…

Well, I did say that “some other time” we would pick that theme back
up, and have decided that this is the week. I am neither qualified nor
inclined to comment on the merits of the appointment, but I am very
interested to explore the connection between the Pope’s namesake (St.
Francis of Assisi) and some of what it seems is needed in world today,
at least as far as it concerns the portrayal of what it means to be a
follower of Jesus.

In a recent interview, a high-ranking international Catholic leader
(Father Julian Carron) addressed this issue:

What is your hope for this papacy? What is the greatest gift that Pope
Francis can give to the Church at this present time?

“I can’t find another answer to this question better than this, given
by Pope Francis himself. The greatest gift to the Church is to show
that “Christian truth is attractive and persuasive because it responds
to the profound need of human life,” as he said to the Cardinals the
day after his election. I hope and pray for Pope Francis to be a
witness of the beauty of being Christian today, as Saint Francis was
in the Middle Ages.”

I agree, and I think there is a LOT we can learn by examining the ways
in which Saint Francis bore witness to the beauty of being a
Christian, whether in the Middle Ages or in the early days of the 21st
century. I look forward to doing a bit of exploring with you all.

Details:
-bikes are back…free indoor parking is available (but only for bikes)
-Souper Sunday is NOT this week but next week – if you bring stuff for
a potluck this week, everyone will look at you funny…and then eat it
up
-byom (bring your own mug)

Peace,

Tim Plett