Regality and Simplicity

by Ryan


Being a (microscopic) part of the Catholic blogosphere, I've read quite a bit about Pope Francis in the last few weeks. While most commentaries have been favorable, some take issue with our new Pope's rejection of the position's traditional regalia: Where are the red shoes? The mozzetta? And more recently, rejecting life in the papal palace for the Vatican's "hotel."

One could be pardoned for thinking that the papacy rested on the papal wardrobe and the papal residence; indeed, it rests on something substantially more solid: Jesus' proclamation to his first apostle, Peter (Matthew 16:15-19) that earthly authority in the Church would rest with him.

Now, don't get me wrong — I am not some anti-tradition, neo-Catholic who thinks that everything not chiseled in the dogmas of our faith is fair game for the ecclesiastical trash bin. I love and appreciate both the Novus Ordo and Tridentine Masses. I see the glorification of Our Lord in the regality of the Pope, his brother bishops, priests and deacons — may these men continue to glorify God through the reverent celebration of the sacred liturgy, no matter who sits upon the Cathedra Petri. 

Yet there are those who would claim that Pope Francis, and others like him, are more authentically living out the call to poverty that Jesus demands in the Gospel (ex. Matthew 6:19-21; 6:25-34; Luke 6:20-21). Without a doubt, Jesus was himself a servant, and set the ultimate example of servitude in his life and death on the cross.

May we not forget that Jesus is also a King, and accepted the gifts that were lavished upon Him by the humble of heart. The anointing at Bethany, found in Matthew 26, is a particularly striking example — a woman approaches Jesus and anoints his head with a costly perfume. The modern reader would probably react in a similar way as the apostles:

"What is the meaning of this waste ... it would have been possible to sell this at a great price and give alms to the poor!"(Matthew 26:8-9)

We hear this same cry today, when one of the most charitable organizations in the world (hint: The Catholic Church) is asked to give even more, yet we, as individuals, will not so much as give up a meal, a movie ticket or some other meaningless comfort to help those in need. Jesus Christ, our King, responds to His apostles:

"Why do you vex the woman? She did well to treat me so. You have the poor among you always; I am not always among you. When she poured this ointment over my body, she did it to prepare me for my burial."

In another instance, Nicodemus, most likely the Pharisee that appears early in the Gospel of John, comes to bury Jesus with a mixture "of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds" (John 19:39). Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI commented that this amount of balm was "extraordinary ... exceeds all normal proportions: this is a royal burial" (Jesus of Nazareth Part Two; pg. 228).

So, is Jesus a servant or a king? He is both; he is a Servant-King. So is the Papacy an office of simplicity or regality? It is both — not of its own merits, but for the sake of the Servant-King. A parting thought: If the Pope were manifested in beautiful music that ascended heavenward, perhaps Benedict XVI would be favorably compared to the rigorous, determined strains of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in d minor; maybe Pope Francis would call out with the gentle restraint of the Adagio from Albinoni’s Concerto for Oboe No. 2. Would we then be provoked to argue which sounds would be more pleasing to the Lord, or would not both have their humble place at the feet of Divine Beauty and Divine Truth?

Feelings and Pope Francis

by Ryan

“How do you feel about the new Pope?”

Needless to say, it’s a question I’ve heard plenty the last two days. One part of me wants to say “Well, I love that Pope Francis seems very humble, a paragon of simple Christian faith, a man devoted to penance, a man who has been courageous in the face of secularism, a man who…”

Source: Catholic Memes

On the other hand, there’s a part of me that says, “The Pope’s the Pope.”

Leading up to the conclave, I, like many Catholics, had my favorites: Cardinal O’Malley, Cardinal Burke, or maybe it would be cool to have an African Pope, such as Cardinal Turkson or Cardinal Sarah.

One might wonder if I have mistaken the selection of a new Pope for Election 2012.

Source: Catholic Memes

I have become increasingly frustrated during the last few weeks with secularists who see this new election only in terms of sexual license: Will the new pope be LBGT friendly? Will he change the Church’s teaching about marriage? Will he soften the Church’s teaching on contraception? Also discussed were women’s ordination, the Church’s perceived wealth in the face of such poverty in the world, and other variegated issues.

Instead of trying to answer these charges in my post, I ask instead — are we any better?

I do not mean “any better” in terms of beliefs, but of actions: Haven’t many Catholics (myself included) also politicized this process of electing a new Pope with the insertion of our opinion on the matter? In wishing for the Pope to be an advocate of such and such position, am I really any different than the secularist — putting the office of Pope under the microscope of personal preference?

Perhaps my second mindset of “The Pope’s the Pope” is closer to a healthy attitude. However, I’d like to add one slight addendum: “The Pope’s the Pope, and I shall pray for his ministry often.”

Source: Catholic Memes