The moral center

Into the instability and uncertainty of the world, a new Pope was elected. Pope Leo XIV emerged from the Conclave and stood on the balcony. Waving to the crowd, his first words were a blessing of peace and a call to mercy. What many of us saw, even us non-Catholics, was a deeply faithful and spiritual man. Even on television, his presence felt like hope.

Hope for a voice of morality and goodness speaking into some of the ugliness around is a welcome gift. The Papacy has worldwide influence. The Pope has a bigger platform than any other person on the planet. The world needs a moral leader, a speaker of truth, words of peace, justice, inclusion, welcome. Pope Leo is already bringing that to the world. Thank you, God.

There is no comparison between the Pope and the President. The Pope is humble and unassuming. The President is anything but that. How have we gotten to a place where a crude and cruel huckster could be leader of America?

David Brooks, in The Atlantic, says, “America is becoming mean.” The reason he says so is because we have lost moral formation in our country. Those systems and institutions that shaped our values have lost influence. People have drifted into the most base, animal instincts that drive greed, selfishness, hate and anger. There is animus in their “replacement theory.” Fear is fueling chaos among us.

Moral formation that values kindness, gentleness, hospitality, welcome, justice and love have been taught in churches and programs like Scouts and YMCA. Brooks says, “We’re enmeshed in some sort of emotional, relational, and spiritual crisis, and it undergirds our political dysfunction and the general crisis of our democracy.”

Into this malaise, a Pope comes among us with great moral clarity. He is prodding us to live the gospel message of loving the poor and the marginalized, of welcoming the stranger, and feeding the hungry. And no, we do not live a faith that loves my family, my America first. Loving all people means ALL. It is that love that ripples out to the world. The faith is an upside-down experience of the first being last and the last being first.

I wonder if J.D. Vance even thought about the fact that he was repeating the safety instruction speech by airline stewards – put on your oxygen mask first, then help your family. A Pope who prioritizes others is walking the faith, not just talking it.

Finding a moral center seems a necessary endeavor for a civil society to grow and thrive. We have walked away from moral formation at a time when tyrants and thugs are rising to rule with cruelty and greed.

Building good will does not come in deporting random people, citizens and all. Building bridges is not done through cutting food and medical aid to people who need it. The wealth divide is growing. When it reaches a tipping point, those who have been mistreated will rise up in righteous anger to resist. It is beginning to happen among us now. Frederick Douglas said, “The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.”

A moral leader, a righteous person to shape the trajectory of justice will bless the world and set an example of how we are to live gently in the world as stewards and protectors. That’s just what we need.

We have missed chances to set things right in America. We elected a felon, a grifter, and a morally bankrupt man who is proceeding to drive America to the back of the line. Judge Michael Luttig said, “Donald Trump is willing to destroy what is precious about this country to get what he wants.” We are watching this in real time.

The consequences of our poor choices are becoming evident. The contrasts of two powerful leaders, the President and the Pope, is shocking.

Moral people everywhere will lean into the goodness of Pope Leo, like we did Pope Francis. His evident goodness is a light in the darkness, a true beacon of hope.

Moral formation 101 begins at home with lessons of kindness, acceptance of differences, and lessons of love. The church remains a place of formation and transformation. When we begin to look like Christ in the world, for the world, we are making a difference for good.

This tide will turn as people reawaken to the experience of generosity, goodness and care of creation. Every day is a new beginning. This is our time to fuel the moral center and find the peace Pope Leo calls for.

Lib Campbell is a retired Methodist pastor, retreat leader, columnist and host of the blogsite www.avirtualchurch.com. She can be contacted at libcam05@gmail.com