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Even before today’s funeral of Pope Francis there is speculation about who will succeed him and curiosity around the machinations which might determine the outcome of the imminent conclave.

A friend commented yesterday that at least this time we have the recent Conclave movie to give us a behind-the-scenes insight into the process of papal election!

But in the movie there are fewer than half a dozen cardinals involved in the plotting and scheming. Almost all of the electors just prayerfully get on with the job and seem to have a pretty sound confidence that the Holy Spirit will work in and through them to elect not the pope that they might want but the preferred candidate of the Holy Spirit, therefore the pope the church needs.

And that’s the key to a process of discernment – quite different from democratic decision making.

Discernment seeks to hear and communicate the Holy Spirit, not our own personal and political preferences.

Today I leave Phoenix after one of the most encouraging retreat experiences of my life. I am grateful to my fifty brothers, many of whom have become good friends over the years, and especially to Vincent whose leadership clearly communicated Jesus boldly present in the ups and downs of life emphasising his theme Companionship, the Dynamic of Salvation and I am inspired by the companionship of these days.

While we kept silence for much of each day the meals and evenings gave good time for real conversation and companionship.  Significantly, apart from mention in the prayers of each day’s Mass, there has been no conversation about popes or conclaves. The fact is that popes come and go, and the place where I am called to live salvation is not in papal politics but in my own experience and encounters.

I love these Acts of the Apostles readings which guide us through these Easter Days. In each encounter we see the first friends of Jesus coming to terms with what it means to live and speak and act in relationship with Him.

In today’s first reading every effort is being made by the rulers, elders and scribes to control these uneducated laymen (Peter and John) because this whole Christian thing is already out of their control.

It is probably unfortunate that the word order is (sacramentally) connected to priesthood, the “Sacrament of Order.” That might make sense in a military structure, but it is misleading in the Church. Too often in our parishes and dioceses we are pouring our efforts and planning into organisation and restructuring with programmes and structures when the evidence is that the Church is most effective when it supports the visible presence of the Spirit whenever and wherever the divine presence is evident. Historically and presently this presence of Christ flourishes most abundantly in chaos and disorder whether this diversity is in a church structure or a human heart.

Yes, order and organisation is important but to support the mission rather than to initiate and guide it.

The rulers, elders and scribes soon realised that the Spirit of God cannot be controlled by human systems and structures.

Thanks be to God.

This fact gives me great hope not only for next month’s conclave but also for life in relationship with Jesus Christ in our parishes, chaplaincies, schools and dioceses, and especially (continuing the mission of Pope Francis) in the lives of those who find themselves on the peripheries of each of these structures.