So Life is moving. Yesterday the pope died, today is Sunday, tomorrow is my birthday. So much happening in a span of 3 days! I am going to be in an exciting place for these next few weeks. A new pope will be chosen and a flurry of discussion will fly about to discover who he is, what his theology is, how he might address certain issues etc. What better time to be at the JSTB. Tomorrow I turn 21. I don’t even know what to say. Finally I can buy my own wine. This is supposed to be one of those landmarks in your life. Maybe I am just not aware of it because in a sense my age has become such a blur while here at Grad school. While my friends go out to bars it is keenly obvious that I can’t go too, I think I have in a sense denied my age so as to overcome a gap between me and my compatriots. The church is in an interesting time right now. I am convinced that at least for our generation, the pope has changed the papacy. He has embraced many elements of this modern world. Just look at the questions the media was asking when it seemed he could no longer travel. How will the next pope react? Will we get a young pope, an old pope, a conservative pope or a moderate pope. Given the way the cards have been stacked it doesn’t seem likely that we could get a liberal pope. With the desire for unity I hope that we can get a moderate pope who will help us meet the many alienated ends of the church. I also hope that we will get a pope who continues the churches concern for the poor. That is all from me.
Peace and Love,
Mike