I am sure many of you out there had the same experience as me when the new pope was announced: Silence and Confusion.  “George who?  Where did they say he was from?  Why isn’t he coming out?”    Millions of souls were dumbstruck for over a minute as they awaited further clarification.  It was not the first time an unexpected cardinal had been named pope, but it is still always surprising to have to reach out in search of an unfamiliar name.  Even the news commentators were for once, silent…

 Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Jorge Bergoglio appeared on the papal balcony, extended his hand in greeting, and met the cheering crowds of St. Peter’s square.  If we had been struck by the reality of an unfamiliar name, this humble man likewise seemed to freeze for an unending moment as the cheering waves of the multitude reached him.  Unlike Benedict who raised both hands in enthusiastic greeting, Pope Francis just paused to quietly cope with the moment, silent…

There have always been these occasions frozen in time where the presence of God is too overwhelming for man to comprehend and fully appreciate.  Life freezes as God reaches out to his people.  Abraham must have experienced it when the angel of the Lord stopped him from sacrificing Isaac.  Moses must have gone through this at the burning bush.  Perhaps David felt it when he was anointed king.  Surely, Mary and Zechariah both experienced this pause when they were first greeted by angels.  And the men of the synagogue were frozen by the presence of God as Jesus completed his reading from Isaiah. 

 Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. Luke 4:20

 Speaking with calmness and confidence, Pope Francis thanked his predecessor, called upon the prayers of Our Lady, and led the crowd through an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be.   He shared a little joke about having to come from the ends of the earth to get to Rome and then, he called for more pause.  He bowed his head and asked his people to pray for him.  Finally came the third silence, not one grounded in shock, confusion, or uncertainty, but a pause of calm resolve as we united in intense prayer for our leader.  Silence…

And this moment, this interaction between God and his people, will be the one remembered for generations, because it was the silence heard round the world.

Joshua Danis

Joshua Danis is the Northern Coordinator for the Family and Respect Life Office. He and his wife also are working together to build their lives as a domestic church.