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The Francis Factor
I write this the day after Pope Francis completed his whirlwind (and highly consequential) tour of Cuba, Washington DC, New York City, and Philadelphia. I have no idea how he maintained the schedule he had while here. In about two weeks’ time, he honored twenty-eight speaking engagements, numerous meetings, tours of schools and helping agencies, etc. Throughout it all, there were certain themes that emerged which we hope will stay with us, even now that he has returned to The Vatican. We hope there will be what the press is calling “the Francis factor,” the lingering of the message even after the messenger has left town.
Many of us clergy in NYC were interviewed by various news outlets in the past couple weeks. Most, I suspect, were asked a question that was frequently posed to me: “What was your primary impression of the man?” My answer was: “My primary impression was that the essence of Pope Francis is unqualified kindness.” That is a sacred attribute, probably closer to the biblical virtue of agape than any other quality at all. And that is what he asked of us, that we deal kindly with one another. That is what he asked of our political leaders when he addressed Congress, and of our world leaders when he addressed The U.N., and of religious leaders when he addressed us Dr. Michael Brown – that we become peacemakers by extendOne of the Pope’s central themes was that ing kindness to each other, by practicing what we preach: we should take seriously what Jesus said in The Beatitudes: “Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.” “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called chilHe applied the message in myriad ways: how we deal with dren of God.” (Matthew 5:9, NIV) the poor, how we deal with children, how we deal with the I was privileged to be part of a service the Pope led for planet, how we deal with the vulnerable, etc. But at the end inner-religious leaders at the 9/11 Memorial Site. He spoke of the day, his message was that we make peace by practicabout peacemaking. He did not speak of the dream for peace ing kindness. At the 9/11 Site, the service concluded with a but rather of the necessity for peace, not about longing for it large youth choir from our city singing beautifully: “Let there to be a reality but rather about working to make it a reality. be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” That’s where it He talked of how that place, so long a symbol of national all begins, isn’t it? It begins with our commitments, one by pain, could become one, to make peace by treating others with kindness. a platform for global It’s not long till Advent. In fact, the season begins at the peace. He reminded us end of November. It is a time of praying, longing, and waitof what we all knew – ing for the arrival of One the Bible calls “Prince of Peace.” that in the holy books (Isaiah 9:6) Perhaps the most appropriate way to make of all the world’s great room for Him in the inns and stables of our hearts is to work religions we find the for peace in the world, the halls of Congress, the city, the same verse: “Do unto neighborhood, the religious institutions, the home, and in our others what you would personal relationships. And it all begins with a commitment have them do unto you.” to honor the words of scripture: “Be ye kind one to There we sat, repreanother ….” (Ephesians 4:32) sentatives of all faiths, challenged by the most visible religious leader on the planet to live up to what we profess to believe.
OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2015 SUNDAY WORSHIP, 11AM
OCTOBER 4
OCTOBER 18
Dr. Michael B. Brown Senior Minister preaching
Love Is Being Fed
The Stairway
World Communion Sunday
Luke 15:11-17, 20-24
Organ Dedication
Every Week
Psalm 95:1-6
OCTOBER 11
OCTOBER 25
Hebrews 4:12-16
Job 42:1-6, 10-17 Chad Tanaka Pack preaching
A Christ Who Understands, a Church That Cares
WEDNESDAY WORSHIP 6:15PM
Happily Ever After
JAZZ REVELATION 5:00 PM Sundays