Papal Visit

Over the last week, it has been very interesting to watch the news coverage of the Pope’s visit to the United States. Benedict the 16th has proven to be vibrant and articulate. I think he has quelled some of the fears that stem from his reputation as “God’s Rottweiler”.

What has been most interesting, from my perspective, is the lack of understanding of the press. They don’t quite know what to make of the Pope. They frequently butcher the language and nomenclature of the Church. They even seem befuddled by the Pope’s comments about certain issues.

One commentator, who will remain nameless, was angry about some of the Pope’s comments about the materialism of the United States. This “newsman” seemed surprised and angry that the Pope would be critical of materialism and a perceived lack of economic justice in the world. It was as if the Pope is not supposed to be concerned about life in the present.

Putting the Roman Catholic Church aside, does the Church not have a role in contemporary public life? In this country, we have avoided the national endorsement of a particular religion. This is as it should be, but that does not mean our faith is relegated to the margins.

Part of our individuality stems from our faith. We don’t turn our faith on an off like a light switch. We seek to integrate our faith into a holistic perspective that is ours. Jesus did not tell us not to worry about the present moment because, one day, we will be in heaven. Jesus counseled against obsession with the present, but called us to be citizens of the Kingdom of God, that is breaking into the present. I cannot help but believe we are to apply kingdom principles to our view of the present. This means the lens of faith is always in operation, not for claiming power, but for seeing past economics and politics.

At the end of the day, is it not the role of the Church and her members to remind us that we belong to God and one another? We might differ as to how this works best, but it is nonetheless our vocation.


The Rev'd Chris Epperson