The priest at my church is over the moon about our new Pope. I’ve never seen him so happy. He says that our new Pope may not write any encyclicals—because he IS an encyclical. He is “living Jesus” because he washes the feet of juvenile offenders, including a Muslim, and because he disdains white pants and red shoes in favor of black, and because he “loves the poor” and chose the name of Francis, etc.
This new Pope, says a famous traditionalist blogger, is motivated by evangelism. Evangelism is the real motive behind all these departures from formality and tradition, these gestures in favor of simplicity. But if that’s really his “motive,” he hasn’t said so. But the blogger is as happy as my priest—though for different reasons—yet both are certain they really “get it.”
Meanwhile, some people fear radical deforms of the liturgy, but there’s nothing about black shoes that should portend universal trivialization of the Mass. As for dogma—unless that self-proclaimed Irish “prophetess” is right, he will not attempt to transform Christian dogma into some absurd contemporary social ideology. (If he does, I’ll leave the Church. There will no longer be a reason for any of us to stay because the Church will cease to be.)
I’m not making light of my priest’s sentiments. I rejoice for him, if not so much with him. I’m also not prepared to take the famous blogger’s word for what motivates Pope Francis.
Apparently unlike my priest and many others over the moon, I don’t personally have anything against red shoes or white pants—or against the synthetic ermine on the Holy Father’s capelet, traditionally worn when he first greets the people of Rome and the world. I don’t really care a great deal about whose feet he chooses to wash, what kind of car he rides in, or where he chooses to live.
I think nobody knows yet—except, of course, that self-proclaimed Irish prophetess who says that Benedict XVI was the last “true” Pope, the last one chosen by God, and that this new Pope Francis is not chosen by God, but will—etc. (not worth going into).
It doesn’t matter. He is the Pope—he is OUR Pope. For the vast bulk of the world’s Catholics, he’s a “dark horse.” We’re not privy to conclave conversations, still less to the prayers of the electing cardinals, and even less than that—I don’t think we know what “purpose” the Holy Spirit has in store for the Church. The fact is, we don’t know much at all, and we don’t know him. We only know a little about him based pretty much on hearsay, and on the impassioned opinions of those who believe they do know him—and know what he’s “up to.” Actually, I think that kind of talk is bait, maybe even poisonous bait.
It would seem that I agree with everything you’ve written on this site, Dena, and I confess my deepest concern is not based on anything rational but on my intuition, which from the very first has been on red alert and my b.s. antennae are desensititized from overload. It’s just a personal prejudice against outward displays of unnecessary (I can’t think of the right word here) …displays? But having one’s feet kissed is an intimate act and does not make them feel loved like a hug and kiss from Mother Theresa. I would LOATHE having my feet kissed by a stranger, though I would submit to having them washed as it truly as it is truly a humbling act. Kissing feet to me is such a grandstanding gesture…or even a little kinky. Sorry, but I was a Presbyterian before I converted, and how I dearly loved the exquisite restraint but obvious sincerity and love of our Pope Emeritus. I will be loyal to our new pope because he was elected fair and square and because we are called to be faithful, but I don’t have to like him. I will love him as our Holy Father and pray for him everyday, but other than sharing my feelings occasionally on sites like this, I’ll never share with friends or family how I really feel.
I love that phrase “exquisite restraint,” so apt….
and you’ve expressed my thoughts on the subject of foot-washing and kissing….
And on other things as well….
Though Pope Francis is indeed doing things differently from tradition- I am not worried or unhappy for two major reasons: his track record is consistent and his words ring of truth.
If one reads about his past, the humble ways he lived before, and listens to the interviews with people who knew him, they all support the fact that he is a very pious, humble man- concerned with the poor, and not afraid to take a stand (sometimes a very blunt one) against that which contradicts the Church, such as gay “marriage” and abortion.
Also, when one takes the time to read his homilies, they are beautiful, simple, and always put Christ first. His very first homily is convicting, reminding us that without Christ, our suffering means nothing. I personally think that he has an inborn humility that drives him to do these things.
Though those of us who enjoy the ornate traditions may miss seeing them played out here, I think this Pope is reaching the “should-the-money-be-given-to-the-poor” crowd effectively- which could help bring more lax Catholics into an active participation in their faith.
Abigail, you have a lovely sensibility and a lovely name! I suppose because I am such a sinner I have a more skeptical understanding about personal motives and life in general. I quoted this poem from the New Oxonian and though it’s a little harsh, it’s not without foundation, I feel…
Prayer of Pope St.Francis (r.joseph hoffman)
Lord, make me an instrument of political persuasion:
Where there is pomp let me feign humility;
Where there is skepticism, sincerity;
Where there is tradition, anything that looks new and comes in white,
Where there is certainty, relativism;
Where there is light, gray;
Where there is doctrine, opinion.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
Do as be seen to be doing;
Change things as to pray for changes;
Be Pope as to be one of the boys who happens to be Pope;
Teach anything clearly as to listen to absolute drivel from nincompoops in ten languages, including Chinese, and pretend to take it seriously
For it is in pretending that we are convincing.
It is in forgiving everyone anything that we look good,
And it is in chucking it all up in about eight years, more or less, that I am saved…
Amen.
Oftentimes, things that we never intended happen because we are so intent on having things our own way, which we firmly believe is the best way. Sometimes it’s really important to be open to what the consequences are or might be in regards to others as a result of our choices. Speaking from experience, I can attest to this truth for I’ve been guilty of charging on come hell or high water. Also, actions speak louder than words, to coin an old cliche’ (that is no less true for all that) so why do so many feel they have to explain or justify our new pope’s actions? Words and words and words are flowing out from all the pundits as to the whys, the wherefores, and the whats. Well, God is in control, and ‘all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose’ and I do trust Jesus and the authority of the Church. We’ll be all right…but I do worry about how the left will use this gentle man for their own purposes as they did VaticanII.
A man in Calif. said that his priest has already begun to imitate the lapses of the new pope this past weekend and also had dancers for the first time.
Yes, the man is in office just a month and everyone thinks they can determine his agenda… he is hopefully still thinking on it! Likewise, all are sure he is the Holy Spirit’s “choice,” when even if he is not and the Cardinals chose on their own will, the Holy Spirit can use him, maybe in ways we can’t guess. But the whole idea he is this divinely approved, amazing, just what the Church needs now leader — a mix of politics as it is now practiced in a church context, and LDS belief in a modern-day prophet. Both are wrong headed. Its like Ultramontanism crossed with Obamaism crossed with Mormonism.