Reflection on the death of the shepherd

…a woman’s response to his compassion and mercy

Pope Francis

Jesus asked Peter three times,

"Do you love me?"

When Pope Francis was speaking to a crowd in the Philippines, he quoted those words:

"Do you love me?"

And the crowd answered "Yes," as if he were asking them. He was taken aback but said "Thank you," and everyone laughed.

Three times I drew a step closer to Pope Francis. I shed three tears for him. Not the sobbing of the sister who knew him well for twenty years and stood at his coffin. But a pang of grief along with a prayer of great gratitude for his care.

Feed my lambs.

A little boy, weeping, asked him if his father was in heaven and

Was given the reassurance he needed because Francis understood a merciful God.

During the pandemic, Francis live-streamed Mass every day from his chapel.

Every day a little homily.

He took the responsibility of feeding the People of God as best he could

Under the circumstances.

I shed a tear of gratitude for the warmth and love.

Take care of my sheep.

Some people object to identifying in this metaphor as "sheep."

Francis had learned, through some difficult experiences, that people need to be asked what they need. So he asked.

Asked 140 billion Catholics plus, what do you need? What do you want to say?

And heard their replies and cries.

And with resolute steadfastness,

He reclaimed, reformed, and invested in

Synodality, to create a Culture of Encounter in a church suffering from rigidity, fear, and cobwebs.

All the European football clubs held a moment of silence before the games to respect his passing. Many and varied people sent condolences and voiced gratitude for his service.

So a second tear was of pride for what he had done and the picture of the Gospel he had witnessed to by his life.

The third tear was to share the pain of compassion for the poor and marginalized, refugees and people in the midst of war and displacement, the groans of creation, plundered and damaged, 

And the imperative, 

To share in the unity of humanity 

and the need to "enlarge the space of your tent," to make room for everyone, and to care for our common home.

So, pray for the repose of the soul of Papa Francisco; may he rest in peace and rise in glory.