I would have loved to have been one of the 13, 500 invited guests who joined President and Mrs. Bush in officially welcoming our beloved Pope Benedict today at the White House. Instead, I was doing what good Catholic moms do - driving children to school!
We have been having wonderful conversations for the past few days in our home about the importance of this visit. I am so moved by America's response to our Holy Father and by the open armed welcome he has received to our country. In his comments today, I found the following segment of his comments to be the most thought provoking for me personally:
The Church, for her part, wishes to contribute to building a world ever more worthy of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26-27). She is convinced that faith sheds new light on all things, and that the Gospel reveals the noble vocation and sublime destiny of every man and woman (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 10). Faith also gives us the strength to respond to our high calling, and the hope that inspires us to work for an ever more just and fraternal society.
We, you and I, are called to be part of that work for justice in our own little corners of the world. In his remarks today, Pope Benedict stated, "As I begin my visit, I trust that my presence will be a source of renewal and hope for the Church in the United States, and strengthen the resolve of Catholics to contribute ever more responsibly to the life of this nation, of which they are proud to be citizens." As an American Catholic and as a mother, I am thrilled to welcome our shepherd here to energize our zeal to serve others. His visit is the symbol our children need and deserve as we teach them to walk a journey of faith and a life of mission. I am excited by each and every segment of this journey and envious of those who have the opportunity to partake of the renewal and fun firsthand. Thanks to the world of new media, we have access to these moments as they occur - I guess in my case I'll have to settle for "i Reports" and You Tube! The carpool must go on...
Please join my in continual prayers for our Holy Father's journey, for those who will travel to see him, and for a renewal of our commitment to freedom and justice in our own country and in those parts of the world who rely on America's continual support.
2 comments:
Like you I am trying to watch the coverage of the Pope between appointments and driving my tots to and from preschool. I was finally able to watch the coverage on EWTN of his Address to the Bishops at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. From what I was able to watch it was beautiful.
I have tried to talk about the Pope to my kids as well, but at their age (3 & 5) they don't quite get it. They think that all priests are Jesus Christ. So when I showed them a picture of the Pope and said he was visiting America my five year old innocently asked, "Jesus? In America? What's America?" My three year old asked if Pope Jesus was coming to our house during his visit. I had a lot of explaining, but I think they sort of got it.
I felt I should explain that my five year old is really still four for another month (it's easier to say he is 5). He knows what the United States is, but gets confused when you just call it America. Ok, I feel better now. ;)
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