Leaving the locked rooms

time to step out in faith

I was born and raised Catholic, and I intentionally raised my two kids in the faith. At age 53, I remain active in music and other ministries. I love Jesus and so much about our Church and I see its flaws, the race by too many of our leaders toward clericalism, earthly power, and politicization. I am working hard to hold hope for its future and pray we’ll continue on the road of mercy and encounter that Pope Francis taught us, despite the forces that would have us go backwards. If you’re anything like me, this has been a week fraught with emotion.

The loss of Pope Francis is profound, but as Fr. James Martin says, we will never again have a Church without his imprint on it. Never will we have a Church that forgets that we had a pontiff in our modern day who chose a simple life and who helped us to see our responsibility to each other, thanks be to God.

In this time, I was challenged to read and pray with Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis’ encyclical based on the story of the Good Samaritan, which reminds us that we belong to each other. I am doing just that, and I hope you will, too. (Here’s a link to help.)

Last week, I attended a gathering at St. Cecilia Boston of national and global Christian ministry leaders and was truly inspired by their words, but it was the next day’s homily by Fr. Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries that continues to challenge me. (Here’s a link to that mass with its profound homily – please give it a listen.) Fr. Greg spoke about leaving our locked rooms, whatever those are – our fears and biases, our lack of belief in ourselves or God, whatever holds us back from living an abundant life in Christ – and going out with fearlessness and joy. I want this life, and yet if I’m honest, I am fighting against fear today.

There are those in leadership in our nation and church that continue to call evil good and good evil, and I shake my head at those who are taken in by the accelerated and intentional cruelty and amassing of power done in the name of our humble and self-sacrificial Jesus. I don’t understand how people align with the most dehumanizing and self-centered parts of this nationalist movement and continue to call themselves Christian, but at the end of the day, I know that mine is the only life I can steer so I want to steer it well. When it feels like the world is upended - and who knows where it’s going - we can be tempted to stay in our locked rooms, the places that feel safe in a world that is increasingly less safe. But since we as Christians are just passing through this life, safety is not our call. As the old quote says, “A ship is safe in its harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.”

All the readings from this past Sunday call us to speak the truth without fear, to praise God no matter the circumstances, and to express our love for God by caring for each other – feeding the sheep and caring for the lambs. No matter what, that remains our bold call, because He who defeated death is our hope. As the song says, “Since Love is Lord of Heaven and Earth, how can I keep from singing?”

As the Cardinals gather for the conclave and enter into their locked rooms, how can begin to move out of our own? How can we pray for them and for us and for the future of our Church? How can we love each other well this week? How can we guard against cynicism and fear while serving our neighbor? Which road will we cross to give aid to someone in need today? Which door of which locked room can we approach with a trembling hand, turn the knob in faith, and finally, step out?

And oh friend, where will we go? God knows.¹

PS- Catch up with episodes of Raised Catholic wherever you get your podcasts, and thanks!

1. that’s good news