Ahoy there, mateys!
It’s been too long since we last set sail together aboard
the Jar of Dirt!
Our last journey took us through the pages of Charles
Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, and
this is where it shall take us once again. However, instead of taking us on a
journey through time, as well, it will be our vessel as we navigate events of
the present.
…
As you probably know, last Wednesday, March 13, 2013, became
a significant date in history as cries of “Habemus Papam” rang out on the
streets of Rome, white smoke rising from the chimney set atop the Sistine
Chapel where Cardinals from around the world had gathered to elect the next
Pope. It was the moment which Catholics around the world – myself included –
had been waiting anxiously for since the Conclave began. It was the moment we
had been waiting for since Pope Benedict XVI officially retired.
It was approximately 1:16 pm (central time) when I first heard
the news that a new Pope had been chosen. I was in my Catholic Theological Foundations
class when one of my classmates casually announced, “we have a Pope.” My
professor, a Franciscan Sister, kept teaching at first, thinking that he was
kidding. When she realized that he wasn’t, she pulled his laptop away to see
the live feed of white smoke playing out on his screen and promptly declared
that class was going to be moved to out student lounge where we could await the
announcement of the Pope’s name in front of the television.
Now, what does this have to do with A Tale of Two Cities?
Well, throughout the book, there is a recurring theme of
hope and the resurrection of hope thought to be lost. This is shown when Dr.
Manette is “recalled to life” after his long imprisonment, his release the
resurrection and fulfillment of hopes of freedom. It is again shown when Sydney
Carton saves Charles Darnay, resurrecting hope for the survival of Darnay and
his family. Even as he walks towards the guillotine, Sydney has a vision of
hope in which he sees generations into the future of those he is dying to save,
a vision of life.
When his name was finally announced, when Pope Francis was
revealed to us for the first time, Catholics around the world felt a surge of
hope for the future. When Pope Benedict XVI retired, there was a sort of
unease; the seat of St. Peter was, for a brief time, empty, sending out a wave
of uncertainty. While hope never really died, the announcement of a new Pope
dispelled the unease and once again cast a light of hope upon the future. Now
that we’ve had the chance to see Pope Francis at work, to hear his ideas, I
personally believe that this hope is well placed. He has shown great humility,
and – following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi – has said that, by
caring for our fellow man, we can “open up a horizon of hope.”
…
Well, another voyage has come to its end. I hope you found
that we navigated these waters with ease and look forward to our next adventure
aboard the Jar of Dirt!
Until next time!
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