It’s hard to believe that Pope Francis died. We had been talking about the possibility of his passing for some time now, but I don’t think anyone thought it would happen just yet. Still, as was his style, he surprised us all.

People still say it: “I’m spiritual but not religious.” It's an old expression, but it's also very modern and still in vogue. Wikipedia shortens it to SBNR. You probably don't need me to explain what it means, but just so we're on the same page: it's used to describe someone whose spiritual life is divorced from organized religion.

I’ve been interested these days in the difference between signs and symbols. Firstly, I think it’s intriguing to consider that there is a difference, when the two are so often thought to be interchangeable. And secondly, since the Church rejects that the Eucharist is a symbol, but affirms that Christ is a sign, an appreciation of the difference promised to lead to a deeper understanding of God through Christ.

It may sound pietistic, or just abstract, but I don’t mean it to be. In fact, the whole point of the priesthood is to incarnate the love of God - to allow it to become a living reality in our towns and parishes - to allow Christ, even now, to become flesh and to dwell among us.

I think it’s okay to say that even after receiving the Eucharist we still want more. Even though Jesus is truly present in Holy Communion, we sometimes imagine we’re the only ones returning to the pews praying embarrassingly, “Thank you, Jesus. But, if I can be entirely honest with You, I’m hoping there’s something more than this.”

The Word that spoke to Moses from the burning bush, “Remove your sandals,” is the same Eternal Word Who came to John the Baptist in the flesh, “whose sandals [he] was not worthy to untie.” Even Moses. Even John the Baptist. History’s greatest men are only great insofar as they have Christ in common.

I’ve been thinking lately about the wisdom of learning things “by heart.” Prayers, for example. Or the Faith itself, the catechism. It’s been said time and again - and I would have said it too until recently - that simply memorizing things is not the same as knowing them. But, I’m not sure that I agree with that anymore.

Waiting on God may be the hardest part of the spiritual life, even though it requires nothing but openness. We’re so accustomed to doing things for ourselves, staying constantly busy about our own projects, that waiting for anything, let alone God, is torturous.