Deep in the heart of Christendom, in the core of the Christian legacy, an old adage will once again prove true: Where there is smoke, there is fire. Soon, in fact, there will be smoke drifting over St. Peter's Square and the Sistine Chapel. The fire of the new Bishop of Rome will be kindled.
It's amazing how fascinated the media are with this conclave, held above a false floor in Michelangelo's gallery; and with the group of religious gathered therein so wholly intent on maintaining tradition that counter-espionage measures have been taken to thwart that very techno-crazy media gathered outside. Have not the last days of Pope John Paul II and this present conclave all seemed so important to the media that it would be crazy not to suggest that the newsgatherers have proven the divine importance of the Vicar of Christ? Has any vacancy and succession of any office been more analyzed; more scrutinized to the very edges of sanity? Why this fascination?
Perhaps it's because the Catholic Church has for centuries stood in the way of human excess. Oh, sure, there are those who scoff at the Church's calls for sacrifice and humility when it is adorned with gold and encrusted with gems. But only the reckless speak thus, forgetting, or ignoring, the curious fact that even in the manger, the stable of the only royal birth, there was gold, frankincense and myrhh. Jesus was and is a king, and his kingdom will have no end. Truly it's OK to manifest the glory of God with the sacraments of art and craft; of precious metals and hallowed frescoes. What else to do with such things than to point heavenward?
But the Church's longstanding resistance to "progress", that ever elusive, seemingly capricious idol; and its criticism of "traditions" that debase and oppress others; give the Church's detractors much to decry. For Rome, particularly in the last papal term, has held firm ground against the spirit of the age, whether it be the inhuman optimism of utopian socialists; or the idolatry of unfettered capitalists; or the licentiousness of the sexually maniacal West. The Church has indeed fought against the idolatries of conservatives and liberals, of heartless moralists and snickering anarchists; and it has fought well. For this reason the world watches and waits; for this reason the media obsess and wonder, and in some cases, even worry.
Doesn't it strike you as strange how many papal "experts" have crawled out from under every rock and paten on the planet? Never before have there been so many experts. Even many non-Catholics seem infallibly articulate on what John Paul II's successor must do, and what he must be like as man and pastor. In fact, every one of these voices sounds, well, infallibly papal. The question thus comes to mind: with this many experts walking the streets, who needs a pope at all (a very liberal wish, no doubt)?
That liberals pray for a liberal, conservatives for a conservative, combined with the grotesgue democratization of everything in America (where everyone is equally expert); all make a fascinating and irresistable story.
But let's skip the punditry (its own sort of idol), and let's have faith (at least those who have it) that God will use men (yes, men) to bring to Christendom another bold and bright flame that burns the skin when held too close, and yet warms the soul when held close enough.
And may the Vatican religious choose another leader who can help guide us home when we have wandered far into those cold and lonely places where our idols love to dwell.
©Bill Gnade 2005/Contratimes - All Rights Reserved.
2 comments:
You mention the weight of Democrats' Chevy Suburbans. Is that different than the weight of the Republicans' Chevy Suburbans?
And what's your point? Seventeen hundred and fifty Americans would still be alive had Bush not decided to go to war. But he sent them to war and they're dead. That's just the way it is.
My point is simple: the argument about "armor" is fallacious. One might ask why 1750 Americans would voluntarily enlist in the military, or why the parents of 1750 Americans who've died in Iraq decided to have children in the first place.
George Bush would not have had to continue the war with Saddam Hussein had Hussein been honest with UN weapons inspectors (did you hear today's report on NPR regarding WMD? Compelling!). Had Bill Clinton, nay, had the first George Bush finished what should have been completed in 1991, we would not be having this conversation. Of course, had Mr. Clinton pursued a more aggressive approach the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, in which there was a link to Saddam Hussein, perhaps 1750 Americans, plus the 3,000 killed on 9/11, might still be alive today.
My point is that we are living in a world, an abusive world, where hate and anger are hurled at a President based entirely on fallacies, and speculation.
Oh, yes, Republicans do drive Suburbans, and they also drive Honda Civics. But it is not the Republicans smearing the president.
Just a few thoughts. But thanks for checking out Contratimes.
Peace to you (sincerely),
Contratimes
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