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By Daniel Murphy February 03. 2016 12:01AM Mochas, Midrash and Mystery: Pope Francis, another Moses My friend and now three-year dialogue partner, Rabbi Joshua Boettiger of Temple Emek Shalom, recently shared rich reflections on religious leadership (Jan. 9). Among other thoughts and insights, Rabbi Joshua identified humility, a healthy distrust of one’s motives as a religious leader, remembering again and again whom one serves, and openness to the continuous callings of those the leader serves. Pope Francis embodies these qualities, which are those of all great, authentic religious leaders. Drawing on an essay about Moses as the paradigm of the true religious leader by Archbishop Bruno Forte, I would like to notice three qualities of Moses that I find compelling in Pope Francis: humility, encounter with the divine, and service to the people. Humility I was struck by Pope Francis’ remarkable request and gesture during his first communication to the world as pope. “Before the bishop [referring to himself as the Bishop of Rome] blesses the people, I ask that you would pray to the Lord to bless me.” Like many Catholic faithful, I was amazed that il Papa would seek the blessing of the people. He bowed his head, and remained silent for a minute or two, apparently experiencing the prayerful intentions of those he was called to serve. The request and the bow spoke volumes about his humility. Encounter with the divine Pope Francis — according to a biography by British journalist Austen Ivereigh (The Greater Reformer) — spends every morning (starting at 4:00 a.m.!) in prayer, reflection, and inquiry. Francis often poses a question that’s on his mind, usually of a pastoral nature, and listens on the level of the heart for God’s guidance. His early morning inquiry leads to action. Francis’s action is immersed in his encounter with the divine. In this way, Francis is God’s son and servant first. Service to the people Forte (in his essay about Moses) identifies several key attributes and actions that Moses engaged in as a servant-leader: listening to his people, entering into dialogue with others, being with and among the people, and speaking God’s words with integrity. Pope Francis exhibits a capacity for deep listening. Many people who have had one-on-one meetings with him comment on his ability to listen carefully, to appear entirely present and unrushed (never looking at the clock), and to recapitulate the content of the person’s interests or needs with precision. Francis has displayed his commitment to dialogue consistently. The book that Rabbi Joshua and I use for our conversations, "On Heaven and Earth," gives witness to his friendship and regular dialogues with Rabbi Abraham Skorka. Francis avoids the trap of making assumptions about others — their lives, their faith traditions, their reasons for coming to him. Instead, he listens to and learns from others. During his tenure as cardinal-archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis was known to spend all of his spare time in the most impoverished sections of the city — mingling with the people, checking in on them, baptizing their children, celebrating their marriages. He walked with and among his people (those entrusted to his spiritual leadership) as their friend and fellow pilgrim. Rabbi Joshua’s words describe the spirit of Francis: “open to hearing about the changing calls of those they serve.” Francis speaks the truth in love. He is “stirring the pot” in the Roman Catholic Church — redressing the financial practices of the Roman Curia (bureaucracy of the Church in Rome), spending time at table with the homeless of the Eternal City, chiding bishops who have not shown the love of Christ in their pastoral practices. He proclaims God’s words boldly, even fearlessly. Francis is a true, another, a contemporary Moses. Let’s pray for him and bless him (and all true religious leaders). — Daniel Murphy promotes human flourishing through Integrity of Life Services LLC, and is a member of Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church in Ashland.     http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160203/OPINION/160209971 © 2016 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->