Pope’s legacy to us; we have the power to change

Pope Francis celebrates a giant open-air mass at the University of Nairobi on November 26, 2015. The greatest planning, expense and excitement, during the Pope’s visit was devoted to his public mass at the University of Nairobi. PHOTO | GIUSEPPE CACACE | AFP

What you need to know:

  • The Eucharistic Prayer and even the Our Father was in Latin, a dead language for Wanjiku and just about everyone else.
  • Many had high expectations that he would address the many challenges that this country is facing right now: inequality, corruption, ethnicity, polarisation of politics and the outright theft of public funds.
  • In a beautiful image he said the faithful servant is one who cries a lot about their own failures, the pain in the world, the victims of disasters, and the questions that they cannot answer.

The greatest planning, expense and excitement, during the Pope’s visit was devoted to his public mass at the University of Nairobi.

This was the event for Wanjiku and the faithful were ready for it.

Yet, what promised so much ended up quite flat, almost a damp squib on a very wet and miserable day.

Of course that did not deter the thousands of faithful who waited patiently.

However, despite the hype and preparation the mass was planned in a manner that gave little prominence to Kenya’s rich culture and worship.

The Eucharistic Prayer and even the Our Father was in Latin, a dead language for Wanjiku and just about everyone else.

The Pope himself preached briefly in Italian with an English translation.

However, his general admonitions to social justice and inclusivity made little impression on the faithful.

Many had high expectations that he would address the many challenges that this country is facing right now: inequality, corruption, ethnicity, polarisation of politics and the outright theft of public funds.
Perhaps his content told much about how he was briefed.

It also suggested that the local church was determined to ensure the government would not be challenged or embarrassed by anything the pontiff might say in public.

Perhaps, he passed on his sternest message in private.

A FAITHFUL SERVANT

However, many will of course see this as a confirmation that the church has very cosy relationships with Jubilee and as a result are not coming to the defense of the millions who still live in a poverty that is primarily a result of bad governance.

However, while the mass was certainly not the highlight of his visit, there can be no doubt at all about the Pope’s credentials as a prophetic reformer.

But like all prophets, Francis is encountering a huge amount of opposition and resistance starting within his own church.

There are those on the one hand advising him ‘go faster’ and another group shouting ‘slow down’.

However, judging by recent events at the synod on the family, the latter group is gaining the upper hand on the driver.

Yet the 78-year-old has grasped the world’s imagination and he is not about to retire or surrender.

The Thursday afternoon event at St Mary’s saw a much more animated, energetic and inspiring Pontiff.

Speaking in Spanish with an excellent translator, Francis challenged the 5,000 religious and priests present telling them that they should not join religious life if they are seeking interests, ambition, power, money or positions of importance.

The church is not a business or an NGO but is about service and the cross.

In a beautiful image he said the faithful servant is one who cries a lot about their own failures, the pain in the world, the victims of disasters, and the questions that they cannot answer.

Bluntly, he told aspirants that if you came to religious life through the window instead of the front door then you should exit and go and get married.

The worst sin of all he tells us is indifference and the Lord will vomit out the lukewarm.

However, his global appeal was shown in the tremendous joy and warmth with which he was received at Unep.

Francis has a great ability to speak to all faiths and the whole of humanity because his faith in embedded in the reality of life.

He warned that the Global Summit in Paris must get it right or planet earth is doomed.

OUR ROLES

He spoke of proper urban planning to ensure the poor live in a decent and healthy environment.

That message was repeated in Kangemi where he met the ‘urban remnants’ or ‘half citizens’ that make up 65 per cent of Nairobi’s population.

What memories and legacy will he leave behind? Francis is an old man with a young heart who leads the world in integrity, humility and service.

A prophet no doubt he is. However, prophets awaken, challenge and provoke.

They call us back to values and basics. They do not solve problems for us.

Rather they call all of us to share their vision for a better future.

If Francis can achieve and influence so much what about the rest of us? That is the legacy he leaves.

We are the legacy, the inspiration the ones to take up the mantle and address the issues confronting our society. No one can do it for us.

We are the ones we have been waiting for and Francis is telling Christians have that responsibility and power to transform hearts and society. 

Someone once said great leaders don’t tell you what to do, they show you how it’s done. We have seen the route, let’s just do it.