Pastor Glenn McDonald: Muddy Shoes

Pope Francis, who stepped into the next world just a few hours after Easter, was a different kind of leader.

In a world where presidents, pastors, and CEO's all too often become autocratic and self-absorbed as their power increases, Francis grew steadily "smaller."

The 12 years of his papacy were characterized by memorable acts of kindness and humility.

He invited homeless men to share breakfast with him on his birthday. When visiting Washington D.C. he was happy to be driven around in a little Fiat. 

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio--the man would become Francis–-used to look at the shoes of the priests who served in his native Argentina. Whenever he saw dirty, muddy shoes, he knew he was in the presence of someone who spent time with the poor.

He spoke of God as few pontiffs have ever spoken before: “I believe in God--not in a Catholic God. There is no Catholic God. There is God, and I believe in Jesus Christ, his incarnation.”

He acknowledged the need for humility: “If one has the answers to all the questions--that is the proof that God is not with him. It means that he is a false prophet using religion for himself. The great leaders of the people of God, like Moses, have always left room for doubt. You must leave room for the Lord, not for our certainties. We must be humble.”

He spoke with open-heartedness.

“Since many of you do not belong to the Catholic Church and others are non-believers, from the bottom of my heart I give this silent blessing to each and every one of you, respecting the conscience of each one of you, but knowing that each one of you is a child of God.”

It may be that Francis’ encounter with an Italian man named Vinicio Riva spoke louder than anything else.

Riva suffers from a non-infectious genetic disease called neurofibromatosis type 1. His skin is covered with painful growths and bleeding sores. He picks up trash in his home village. He is used to stares of shock and fear.

In November 2013, just six months after Francis ascended to the Vatican’s highest role, Riva was escorted by a family member to a general public audience held by the pope.

When Francis saw Vinicio, he walked directly to him. At first Riva was confused. Most people flee from his presence. He was even more stunned when the Pope embraced him tightly.

Riva will never forget the moment.

“He embraced me without speaking…I quivered. I felt a great warmth. We said nothing, but he looked at me as if he was digging deep inside, a beautiful look that I would never have expected.” 

Sometimes there’s no need for words. Sometimes a simple hug can change the world.

As Jim Wallis relates in his book Christ in Crisis, after Francis slept through his very first night as pope, he stepped out of his simple guest house in Rome and encountered a Swiss Guard.

"Who are you?" asked the pope. "I'm your guard," he answered.  

The Swiss Guards, 110-strong, have served as the pope's personal security unit since 1506. Their colorful uniforms were designed by none other than the Renaissance genius Michelangelo. 

"Where is your chair?" Francis asked. "My commandant says we must stand while we guard," the young man replied. "How long have you been standing here?" "All night," came the answer.

Francis declared, "There is now a new commandant." He disappeared inside and returned with a chair. Then he asked, "Have you had anything to eat?" "My commandant says..." the Guard began, but his voice trailed off. Francis returned with a pair of sandwiches and the two shared a meal.   

Whenever we enlist as followers of Jesus, we come under new management. 

As modeled by our new Commandant, we become part of the Great Reversal. Leaders become servants. "Those at the top" give hugs and wash the feet of "those at the bottom."  

What would it mean to join this revolution of servant leadership?  

It would mean it’s time to get our shoes muddy.