Entertaining Angels & Pope Francis

 

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.

Hebrews 13:1-2 NRSVue 

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt...

Matthew 2: 13-14 NRSVue  

We are early risers, whether we want to be or not, so we did tune in to some of the CBC television coverage of the funeral for Pope Francis. The wealthy and powerful were present in the opulent St. Peter's Basilica while hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in the Vatican square. 

There were a number of commentators and guests during the broadcast, including Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz. While so much of the adornment of St. Peter's, inside and out, is from centuries ago there are several of Schmalz's sculptures close at hand. One is a depiction of refugees and migrants from around the globe and across the ages, all in the same boat.

"Angels Unaware" is a monumental piece commissioned by Pope Francis who was deeply committed to the displaced and dispossessed and unveiled during mass on the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees in 2019. It includes Christ's  parents Mary and Joseph who were forced to flee to Egypt with their infant child because of persecution. The decision to give such prominence to  contemporary sculptures was criticized by some but Francis was committed to issues of the present, not the past. 

Francis was buried at St. Mary Major church rather than St. Peter's where most popes have been laid to rest. It was the church to which he would go to pray before major papal trips or undergoing surgery. He gave instructions for a relatively simple interment, in the earth, perhaps a reflection of his passion for the Earth and Creation care. On the steps into the church were 40 people representing prison inmates, the homeless, LGBTQ2s+ persons, migrants, all dear to Francis' heart. 

I've been thinking of my conversation with Timothy Schmalz years ago who then generously sent me a cast model of his Homeless Jesus sculpture. One of the life-size versions of this sculptures is installed at Vatican City. 

At times I forget I have it but today I am reminded of the importance of seeing Christ in those who might otherwise be invisible, the lowly and cast aside. We are all in the same boat and we too must entertain angels.