Pope Francis will be attending the World Meeting of Families to be held in Philadelphia in September 22-27. It seems fitting that Pope Francis’ first visit to the U.S. will be to the “City of Brotherly Love.” Not “Sin City” nor the “Windy City” but the brotherly city of love.
We could use some fraternal love here in the U.S. I’m using the word “fraternal” but intend to include women in that embrace. As far as I know, there is no word like “sisterly” but there should be and Pope Francis is sure to remind us about this and the essence of love.
From out of the pages of the New Testament, St. Paul stares at the Corinthian Christians –and at us– to remind us that “Love is patient. Love is kind.” In words that seem to echo throughout our country these days the pope will be saying, “it’s not about you.”
Yes, it’s about someone else, about other people.
If you hope to love, you’d better learn that love requires humility, enough to change dirty diapers. Love allows someone else first place rather than me. Kindness shown to anyone is genuine love.
Pope Francis will bring the message of Our Lord Jesus Christ and it is going to be a stunning moment for people looking for the meaning of life, the reality of love in the “City of Brotherly Love.”