Black Smoke White Smoke

The 115 cardinal-electors took an oath of secrecy in Latin yesterday at the Sistine Chapel for the conclave.  The words, “Extra Omenes” meaning, “Everyone Out!”  removed everyone but the 115 and the chapel doors were locked. If any cardinal-elector breaks this oath of secrecy, they will be immediately excommunicated. Two-thirds majority is needed to elect the next pope. The ballots are burned after each election and something is placed in the fire to indicate the outcome. Black smoke means not pope yet and white smoke means a pope has been elected. Today, white smoke is signaling a successor is elected and there are 1.2 billion Catholics world-wide who are anxiously awaiting to hear who their new leader is and many like myself that are curious.

Black smoke, white smoke.

When Jesus prepared to chose those who would become His twelve disciples, of which eleven would initiate a world-wide movement of Christianity, He made some very intentional steps. He fasted for forty days. He spent time with His Father. He went out and invited each person to follow Him.

The world was not especially attentive. There was no black or white smoke, just a dropping of their fishing nets and leaving things behind to follow Jesus.

The call to leave everything behind and follow is still and invitation Jesus gives today. It would be kind of neat if there were white smoke that went up, but greater than smoke is a life in love and devoted to following Jesus in every aspect.

Luke 9:23
  Then He said to them all: “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.”

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