There is a segment on the PBS Newshour called Brief But Spectacular. Short interviews of individuals, each providing their unique take on life. It is one of my favorite segments, especially right now during what feels like a dark time in our history. It illuminates the experiences and perspectives of others, fostering a sense of connection, understanding, and hope.The camera captures them going about their lives, giving a brief glimpse of who they are, by how they are.
Interviews conclude with the featured person clapping their hands together, and holding them in front of their face they say, “THIS is my brief but spectacular take.”
And just like that, their time onscreen is done.
Early this morning, Pope Francis died.
But not before having his final brief but spectacular moment.
His doctors wanted him to stay home and rest. He didn’t. He continued to do what he had always done. He went out and lived among the people. He appeared to the crowds on Palm Sunday, visited the powerless living in prison, and met with the powerful living in invisible prisons of their own making. Somehow, knowing that time was short, he didn’t stop until his work was done. On Easter Sunday he made a surprise appearance to the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square to celebrate Easter. On this most holy of days for many, he rose above his broken and failing body. He blessed the crowds, a homily written by him was read to those gathered, and he took one final ride in the Popemobile, the open-top-white-Mercedes Benz reserved for the Pontiff to go for a little spin. He slowly moved among the people, raising his tired arms in blessing. Only then, knowing that his work was done, could he go home and rest.
And he did.
And just like that, his time on earth was done.
While he lived to be 88, his life, like ours, was a brief but spectacular moment. It was his chance, as it is ours, to give the world a glimpse of who we are, by how we are. Every single day, until knowing that our work is done, we can go home and rest.
And just like that, our time on earth will be done.
I can imagine Pope Francis, with a twinkle in his eye and a prayer on his lips, clapping his hands together, holding them in front of his face, saying “THIS was my Brief But Spectacular take.”
I can imagine each of us doing that too.
Amen. May it be so.
