Lack of practice makes the job harder. The less one is committed to practicing, the harder the job will be. The runner who does not practice will, soon, run short of breath and quit the race. Jesus knew that, without His breath – the Holy Spirit – the disciples would not be able to carry on the mission entrusted to them. “Jesus said: ‘Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.’ Then He breathed on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (Jn. 20:21–22). In these words, Jesus makes clear that the protagonist of mission is, indeed, the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, the Apostles break the chains of fear and despair and let themselves be led by that ‘fire’ of love and passion for the mission. The “Breath of Life” empowered the Apostles and made their mission life–giving, crossing borders of race, culture etnicity and spreading the fire of God’s love to all.
Much has been said and written about the historic decision of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. And, during these days of Sede Vacante, speculation continues about the future of the Catholic Church. Profiles of the indispensible qualities of the Holy Father are listed – open–minded, wih great leadership skills, who likes to listen, a true servant of servants… Many prophets of doom point to this resignation as a clear sign of the collapse of the Catholic Church, while others see in it a tremendous gesture of humility of a man who, fully aware of his limits, trusted the work of the Spirit. In his farewell address to the College of Cardinals, Pope Benedict quoted one of his favorite theologians, Romano Guardini: “The Church is not an institution devised and built at table, but a living reality. She lives along the course of time by transforming herself, like any living being, yet her nature remains the same. At her heart is Christ.”
At present, the instability and degradation of human life caused by the mounting obsession of a few for worldly power cannot be denied. In Syria the bloodshed continues; in Kenya, fear of great violence surrounds the period of elections; in the Philippines, as local elections approach, the almost daily killings no longer make it to the headlines…In such context, I believe, this eloquent decision of Pope Benedict XVI speaks of an assurance of faith that the Church does not depend on human power but, as a living being, it is nourished by the God’s living presence. In his final general audience, Pope Benedict stated: “I always knew that the Lord is in the barque, that the barque of the Church is not mine, not ours, but His – and He shall not let her sink. It is He, who steers her: to be sure, He does so also through men of His choosing, for He desired that it be so. This was and is a certainty that nothing can tarnish.”
The ocean is vast, the sea may be rough at times, the darkness of the night may frighten us, but the barque goes on. Yes, the mission of the Church goes on. God will provide a shepherd to lead the Church through the turmoil of the present times in renewed commitment to and passion for mission. We are sent as Jesus was sent and our purpose is to bring the life of God to a world often submerged in death. With the guidance of the newly–elected pope, empowered by the Life–Giving Breath of God, let us sail!
