Today commemorates John XXIII as Bishop of Rome in the ELCA church calendar. It seems odd to some that Lutherans would remember a post-reformation pope, but John was special.

He was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli on November 25, 1881, in Bergamo, Tuscany, the third of thirteen children in a poor farming family. He began studies at a seminary when he was 12, eventually earning a doctorate in theology. Ordained a priest in 1904, he held various posts until January 12, 1953, when he was appointed a Cardinal and Patriarch of Venice. On October 9, 1958, he was elected pope on the 12th ballot. His election was a surprise to many, including himself. At 76 was seen as a compromise candidate who would hold the office of pope for a few years without doing much of anything. Nothing could have been farther from the truth.

In his first public address Pope John expressed his concern for reunion with separated Christians and for world peace. It was his openness to other Christian churches that so impressed many Protestants.  He soon announced that he was summoning an ecumenical council—a general meeting of the bishops—the first in almost a century. He said his purpose was to “bring the church up to date” and to work for its spiritual regeneration. John lived long enough to see the opening of the Second Vatican Council, but not its completion which produced profound changes in the Roman Catholic Church.

God did amazing things with someone regarded as a caretaker. Don’t underestimate what God can do with you.

Read Revelation 21:1-5 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne