You’ll Need to Calm Down, Cardinal Zen

You’ll Need to Calm Down, Cardinal Zen

A theological reflection responding to Cardinal Zen,

defending Pope Francis’s pastoral zeal, the reach of grace, 

and Christ’s refusal to forbid anyone who seeks Him.

Zeal for Grace Is Not the Denial of Truth

Whatever errors Pope Francis may have made, he made them out of an overflow of zeal—
a zeal to make grace available to as many as possible who, led by their own spirits,
linger around the outer courtyards of the place where God dwells among humanity on earth:
the Church.

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Those Who Did Not Abandon God

In their sinfulness and reproach, they did not abandon God.
Francis saw this—
as do all who are truly possessed of the Spirit of Christ.

They, the ones we wish to exclude, know every Bible verse that condemns their sexual orientation.
Every single one.

And they likely cry out daily, in despair:

“Who will save me from this body of death?”

They know they carry death in their bodies.
This is precisely why they have not given up on God.
They know He is their only hope.

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The Charism Francis Recognized

Bergoglio understood this more acutely than most—
And as Pope, perhaps more than anyone else on earth.

So what was he to do with that charism?

Shun it?
Say to the Lord,

“Sorry, Lord. This is not the kind of charism I want”?

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The Ones We Wish to Exclude

They, the ones we wish to exclude, do not argue that they are “dogs.”
They would readily call themselves dogs - if it will make us accept them...

What, then, is achieved by calling them a name they already give themselves?

All they ask is that the crumbs falling from the banquet table not be swept away,
but left for them—
because they are starving.

For what do they starve?
For Christ.

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Zeal for Grace, Not a Denial of Truth

So, you’ll need to calm down, Cardinal Zen.

Whatever errors Pope Francis made, he made them in zeal—
zeal to widen the reach of grace,
not to deny the truth.

Brother Francis has gone to be with the Lord.
In what scenario do you suppose our blessed Lord rebukes him now?

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Remember Jesus and the Little Ones

Remember Jesus and the little ones.

“Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me:
for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Yes, He spoke of children.
But He also said:

“Forbid them not.”

Do you know of any Scripture in which Jesus forbade anyone to come to Him?

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A Final Warning

You’ll need to be calm, Cardinal Zen,
lest you cross the line
and become guilty of the sin of detraction.

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I rest.

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Don Kenobi
#MyFrancisEssays
#OldManInTheMolue

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