Newsday is reporting that Susan Sarandon referred to Pope Benedict XVI as a Nazi in an interview this past weekend. The actress, who portrayed Sister Helen Prejean in the movie Dead Man Walking, repeated the comment later in the interview. That indicates that she was fully aware of what she was saying. How can she ever be taken seriously again? Referring to the Pope as a Nazi? She was apparently making this remark because Pope Benedict, as required by Adolph Hitler, joined the Hitler Youth. It has been well documented that the Pope also deserted from the organization at his own peril. I am not sure of the motives of Ms. Sarandon. I am also not aware of her spiritual life although I would love to sit and have a conversation with her. I do know that Sr. Helen has not only met with her but apparently maintains a ongoing friendship with her. I pray that Sr. Helen has a frank conversation with Ms. Saradon about her recent comments. Vilifying the Pope to garner press coverage seems to be a desperate plea for attention. This situation reminds me of the internal struggle that we all experience. The self-doubt and inner critic is always at work. That is what is so comforting about having the Holy Spirit to counter-balance this negativity. Taking the time to quiet ourselves and remove ourselves from all of the world's noise is essential if we are to honor our commitment to God. He is always there to aid our spiritual growth. He wants to see us be successful and to love ourselves. It is key to being able to love others. So the incident with Ms. Saradon and her deplorable comments merely reflects what is happening in her life. We can all learn from this very public mistake.
Born during the turbulent era of the French Revolution, Saint Jeanne Jugan rose above hardship and a lack of formal schooling to become a profound vessel of Christ’s mercy. After losing her father at a young age and working through her youth as a kitchen maid and nurse, her life radically changed one freezing night when she encountered a blind, paralyzed elderly woman with nowhere to go. Jeanne carried the woman back to her own home, placed her in her own bed, and began a lifelong mission of radical hospitality. This act of profound love blossomed into the Little Sisters of the Poor , a thriving community dedicated to sheltering and honoring the destitute elderly. Despite later facing heavy trials—including being unjustly sidelined and stripped of her leadership by a controlling chaplain—Jeanne accepted her obscurity and exile with a joyful spirit, resting her complete trust in God's hidden providence until her death in 1879. In our daily lives, Saint Jeanne Jugan invites us to lo...
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