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WRF Member Robert Heerdt Asks, "Pope Francis Rode into Philadelphia in WHAT?"
He rode into the city in WHAT?
When our Lord made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he came riding on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah. It was then the prerogative and expectation that the king would enter the city on a mount.
But the mount of a king in that day was not a donkey but a horse. Can you imagine Alexander the Great on a donkey? I think Jesus rode the donkey to show that He was a different kind of king, ruling a different kind of kingdom.
Watching Pope Francis enter our city, Philadelphia, we saw a long line of very large vehicles carrying our city and other dignitaries, followed by the little Fiat with Francis squished into the back seat. The message was clear – the king and kingdom he serves are different from those of the dignitaries surrounding him. Francis serves a kingdom marked by humility and meekness.
At a time when we Christians feel there is no room for us in the public square, here we heard the leader of the largest Christian church, in many respects the spokesperson for Christianity, speaking freely and candidly with U.N. delegates, President Obama, a joint session of Congress, and, through the media, with millions of our fellow citizens. Anyone else speaking as he did would be cut off or shouted down as an intolerant bigot. It warmed my heart to see the respect and welcome given him by the media and our civic leaders. Yes, I know they may have acted out of political expediency, but I suspect they may also have listened carefully.
I have friends who wondered why he didn’t seize the moment “to present the Gospel.” Pope Francis came to our city of Philadelphia for a stated purpose – to participate in the Conference on the Family. And so his message concerned the family, as created by God, the family mired in poverty, the refugee or immigrant family, and the enduring beauty and joy of family life. True, the ancient liturgy of the Mass doesn’t end with an altar call or with the singing of “Just As I Am.” But for us, too, the Gospel is more than individual salvation. The Gospel is also good news for the kingdom.
I hope we learned from him Catholic social teaching based on the Scriptures.