Scottish Catholic Observer

The Holy Father Pope Francis is leading by example this Holy Week, and, it would seem, leading as he means to go on throughout his Papacy. While respecting the traditions of the weighty office he now holds, Pope Francis nonetheless continues to reach out to lay Catholics and to those most in need that he comes across—the sick, the disabled, and the disenfranchised, such as the youth offenders he visited on Holy Thursday.

The Holy Father also spoke of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as his ‘brother’ last weekend when the two met. In these actions, and many more, Pope Francis is, in fact, reaching out to us all this Easter

Pope Francis’ simple message of humility, patience and youthful enthusiasm, is, however, not always so simple to embrace and follow, especially for Scottish Catholics, as complex challenges to the Church here appear to continue to gather like dark, foreboding clouds, perpetually delaying the joy of spring.

Although Easter, with all the fresh hope and joy it brings, is upon us, it would appear that Catholics in Scotland still face an ‘extended Lent’ in terms of soul searching and facing up to the challenges ahead for our Church.

As Pope Francis says, we must be patient and humble in our Faith, and, by inference, in all questions of Faith.

Dare we add to that a call to pray for the strength to be forthright when our Faith is questioned or doubt clouds our judgement or the judgement of those tasked to lead our Church here in Scotland?

And so to end the month as we began it. The March 1 SCO editorial leader highlighted that: “Being a Christian is difficult. It was difficult 2000 years ago and it is difficult today. In the Gospel of John, Jesus told us to remember that the world hated Him before it hated us (John 15:18).”

Do not let your own love turn to hate, or let your own Faith whither in bitterness. Pray and reflect, have patience that answers will come, perhaps when you least expect them—in God’s time not man’s. Keep Pope Francis, our bishops and clergy in your prayers for the work that lies ahead to rebuild our Church.

The SCO wishes you every joy and blessing this Easter.