Tons of men of all colors in bright green robes and multi-colored caps, thousands of regular men, women and young ones, every face sober, intent, all praying in concert for the zillions of peoples on this frail plane—and for so many problems that face all peoples, all lands and all seas…
I kept my eyes glued on that not very tall guy in the central role, dressed in his impeccably correct robes and cap of prim white silk and ordinary glasses, far more modestly garbed than the long lines of humans, all male, mostly older men in their tall white hats and green or red robes. Some of the men wore things on their heads that looked like kingly crowns...
The background music and singing was lovely, unearthly, in languages many of us in the USA could not understand...
I could just smell the incense—so vivid through the TV screen… I happen to love that smell…
Watching that ceremony, along with zillions of others on the planet, I grew very quiet inside. I love a good ceremony…
I am a respectful watcher and know when to be quiet, when to be reverent and feel humble…
But what drew my gaze, interest and, yes, concern, was that kinda stooped, old guy, who was the M.C.…
What makes him tick??? my inner voice said out loud…
I was glued to his facial expression… no actor, this little guy… no loud mouth or flashy, toothy grin for the masses…
The 1.2 billion souls he's now in charge of…
What impressed me, more than anything else, was his quietness… his utter lack of playing to the crowd, the utter simplicity and modesty of movement… He was not playing for or to any audience… such as we often see in the Big Men of the Church… who wear splendid robes and gesture magnificently to their humongous followers!
I was moved to tears at his quietness, his aloneness in the crowd, his modesty. His clear lack of trying to make an impression on his colleagues, his followers or the millions of us watching him…
A quiet man, a modest man—whom we know to be very smart and gifted, actually, given his life accomplishments and adult roles… on his life's path to the Vatican…
I'm as religious as the next guy/gal, though at this stage of life I choose to worship at many altars, not just one…
I've known a lot of good church folks, some wonderful leaders, some not so hot… Wearing a robe does not a saint make!
But I've rarely seen a face that so makes me believe in the goodness of humanity… as I've now seen in this little quiet guy…
I'd like to know what YOU think… send me your thoughts here…
Thelma J. Straw
Thelma, This was such a lovely post. I'm a big fan of this pope for all the reasons you suggest. He seems to be the real deal--humble yet a great leader. Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteBarbara Bent
Thelma, I went to Catholic school for 17 years and entered adulthood a devout pratitioner of the faith. I have, as they say, fallen away. I find a lot of fault with all organized religions. But I love Francis. He is changing the conversation about what it means to be devout. I just love him.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barb and Annamaria. I am also touched by the deep regard my New York Jewish friends have for him!!!!! tjs
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