By Matthew Kelly, Special to USAToday.com
When the new pope stepped out onto the balcony on March 13, 2013, nobody could have imagined how this man in simple white vestments would capture the world’s attention. Before he proclaimed the traditional blessing on those gathered in St. Peter’s Square, he bowed his head and asked the people to pray for him.
This single gesture told the world that this Pope would not just be proclaiming the teachings of Jesus and his church. Here was a man eager to listen and ready to engage the whole world in a conversation that is both ancient and fresh.
Christianity has always been in conversation with the world. The focus and quality of this conversation has consistently influenced and often altered the direction of human history.
Over the past 50 years, an ever-increasing number of people have decided not to participate in this conversation. As they exit the conversation, they grow indifferent toward Jesus, his church and Christian principles in general. This indifference is perhaps the greatest enemy Christianity faces in today’s modern secular world.
To the casual observer, it could seem that in an age of limitless communication and constant dialogue on every topic, the Catholic Church has become the last remaining monologue.
Pope Francis is changing that. He is re-energizing the conversation between Catholicism and the world. He is open to dialogue. He is inviting people to rejoin the conversation. As a result, hundreds of millions of people are now participating in the conversation for the first time or in a new way. This is a very good thing.
This conversation is important. It matters.
Continue reading...
No comments:
Post a Comment