Beyond the Clouds by Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, S.A.C. | Page 94

pockets. and be forced to face the unpleasant surprises of life. Then again, that
is part of our mortal nature.
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The control tower came to mind also because of my own leadership role that I
am exercising at the moment. Governing as many as 2,500 persons in 56
countries- in collaboration with many others, of course- can be demanding for
various reasons. But when we compare this to someone like Pope Francis- the
shepherd of the entire Catholic Church- my role can seem rather insignificant.
Nonetheless, I have also realized that managing a Province with 400 members
can be challenging; likewise, managing 40 members can be equally- if not
more- challenging. In the same way, taking care of a small family of 4 persons-
with a father, mother, and two children- is also demanding. It is not the size of
the group alone that matters, but the situation of the members, the ability of
the leader, the conditions under which ones operates, etc.
Each Wednesday morning when Pope Francis rides around on his Popemobile
to greet the General Audience, I am always in awe of his simple, smiling face.
How can he continue to radiate such joy with all of the responsibilities and
tribulations he faces at such an age? It is not that he isn’t aware, or doesn’t get
affected, by them. And as he once told the press, it isn’t tranquilizers, either!
Rather, our Holy Father shares that he has had “a very special experience of
profound peace since I was elected. It does not abandon me. I live in peace. I
cannot explain. What I am experiencing is a complete new experience for me.
In Buenos Aires, I was anxious, I admit. I felt more tense and worried. My
peace is the gift of the Lord.” This divinity enables him to fly above the
clouds.
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Once, I met a Mother General of a Religious Congregation who talked as
though she was carrying a huge cross on her shoulders. “The Lord wants me to
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