Papal Visit Day 5 – Dynamic Love

 

             I thought today’s post would start off with the Pope’s visit to the Liberty Bell.  I thought I was going to write about his address in front of Independence Hall, and perhaps even try to explain the Church’s position on immigration.  Then I saw a 2 minute 50 second video of Pope Francis’ arrival at the Philadelphia Airport, and all of these ideas went right out the window. 

                Unlike his previous arrivals, Pope Francis headed straight to his car after disembarking from his plane in Philadelphia without pressing into the waiting crowd for handshakes and blessings.  The black Fiat did a slow turn in front of the crowd as the Pope waved and gave a thumbs-up to the Bishop Shanahan High School band through his open window.  At the far end of the crowd, just as the car was about to take off for downtown Philly, Pope Francis suddenly turned to his driver and appeared to say, “Para” – “Stop!”  He got out of the car and walked straight over to Michael Keating, a 10-year old boy who’s confined to a wheelchair with cerebral palsy.  He took Michael’s face in his hands, drew Michael toward him, leaned heavily over the fence and kissed Michael’s head.    

                I’ve said before that love is dynamic, not static; it has to move.  So when we receive God’s love, we can’t hold it in.  We have to share it.  The reason I love Pope Francis is summed up perfectly in that 2 minute 50 second video:  Pope Francis is the epitome of dynamic love.  He just can’t hold it in.