The Pope's Gift

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To Our Readers,

“COME ON PEOPLE, NOW,

SMILE ON YOUR BROTHER”

— Youngbloods

I miss him already.
Pope Francis spoke softly and certainly did not need a big stick to emphasize the significance of respecting our planet, our families, and each other. He made it powerfully clear, it’s a moral imperative, and he did it without a hint of moralism. I found him to be the poster child for why a sense of community matters. We get that in the Two River area but we can always improve. Atlantic Highlands Deacon Robert Johnson, who dispensed Communion during the pope’s final Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, captured in a story in today’s pages how the pontiff’s message was received. “I could actually see the love and peace among the people I was serving,” he said.

You can make the mountains ring

Or make angels cry

I was fascinated with the pontiff’s ease in conveying why it’s everyone’s responsibility to care for the poor, the forgotten and those in need as he moved eagerly into crowds, beckoning children past security guards, blessing invalids and enthusiastically embracing all he met. “I realized the day was all about the people,” is how Rosemary Rauh of Lincroft summed up her day in the City of Love in today’s edition. “People from all over the world were here just to see this one man.”

Come on people now

Smile on your brother

I was deeply touched when he urged us to be kind. His was infectious, deep and defining, broadcast by an easy and gentle smile. Virginia Bauer, Red Bank, and director and board member of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, had a moment with the pontiff. “It’s something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life,” she said. “Nobody can argue with his kindness.”

Try to love one another

Right now

I spoke with people during his visit who felt as if they were walking with a man so similar to Jesus Christ they had the feeling they understood what it might have been like 2015 years ago. Other folks, who aren’t necessarily religious, told me he restored hope, fostering us to have faith in each other. Suzanne Shur, of Middletown, saw the pope in Philadelphia, with three friends and summed it up simply in a story. “It was the overall feeling of everybody coming together, and the camaraderie, the peaceful feeling that he just gives people. He just makes you feel happy.”

If you hear the song I sing

You will understand (listen!)

The beloved “Papa” addressed the world’s politicians through the United Nations and America’s through Congress. But, as it was so very clear by his actions, he was happiest when he mingled with people, most especially children.

You hold the key to love and fear

All in your trembling hand

He asked Catholics and all other religions to embrace each other and did not leave out atheists, noting some of the most Christian acts were performed by those who did not believe in a God while some of the most horrible were performed by men in the name of God.

Just one key unlocks them both

It’s there at your command

The gift he gave the country, not just Catholics and Christians but to all Americans, is he fostered a sense of the positive, a renewal of faith in each other, of compassion, humility and respect. Those values have no limited religious affiliation. Maybe that was the thirst we were feeling in this lightning speed text/email/twitter world in which we live. We needed to reaffirm our connection in a non-electronic manner. Kathleen Kelleher Cangialosi, Middletown, put it this way. “I just felt everyone we met was full of joy.”
His simple “Please remember to pray for me” illuminated an abiding humility. I suspect quite a few people are going to take up the pontiff’s request. We won’t forget this visit – not Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists, or anyone else who witnessed a man simply saying it’s our job to protect a world community. I miss him already.

Let’s Have Coffee

Jody Calendar

Executive Editor/Co-Publisher

editor@tworivertimes.com