Pope Francis’ dedication to the poor, voiceless, and forgotten touched my heart. He was inspirational. Now, Pope Leo XIV is our first American Pope. Pope Leo hails from Chicago. I was born there and lived there until I was 5 years old.

Pope Francis was a force for good, and I believe Pope Leo XIV will continue that good and necessary work. Our world cries out for a voice for the poor and disenfranchised of Earth. Christ’s message was to the invisible of the land. Those who did not have the money or power to be noticed. Those who appeared different from the accepted or ‘In Crowd’, which these days includes many politicians who say what their constituents require of them. A fat wallet was never Jesus’ requirement to enter the kingdom of Heaven.

‘And the common people heard him gladly.’ Servant Leadership inspires. Humility compels action. Giving with no plan or hope of seeking recompense or acknowledgment is golden.

There is the facsimile and there is the real thing. Some pretend to have Christ’s mind, and some follow his humble way. The difference is night and day. Some shut the door to the needy, cold, and shunned. Some open the door wide to all who seek help and a balm of Gilead.

Pain in words never leaves you. Being called hurtful names and rejected leaves wounds. The balm is loving others who have been treated similarly.

Answers we seek. Pain is everywhere. It is too big for any of us. It is just right for one person at a time.

‘Neva J, you are a saint,’ Abigail said to her friend. ‘No one would speak to me in town until you came,’ Abigail noted. ‘They call me One Eye as a joke and for a laugh as I lost my eye in an accident years ago,’ Abigail said. ‘You see me as I believe God sees me,’ Abigail cried joyfully. ‘My husband and I performed in Vaudeville and were happy and carefree until our automobile accident when he was killed and I lost my eye,’ Abigail recounted. ‘We were on the stage in Chicago and did two shows a day, seven days a week,’ Abigail said. ‘After the accident, my friends left me as I became depressed for a long time, Abigail whispered.

‘You are my family,’ Neva J said. ‘I have adopted you as my sister,’ Neva J continued. ‘Where I go, you go and we will stay until we need to come home,’ Neva J smiled and winked. ‘If I go to a fine restaurant, you will sit next to me and we will order like there is no tomorrow,’ Neva J danced on one foot and then another. ‘When someone calls you an ugly name, they are calling me an ugly name,’ Neva J said somberly.

My friend said Give what you would give to me to another who is more needy. My friend is a Servant Leader…