On the other hand, the linked
article and a covey of similar stories, which pseudo-politely tries to explain
why the Trump ladies are dressed in black in a visit to the Pope, who we
Catholics reverently declare as the Vicar of our Jesus Christ, Son of God. And by the way, they detail further that there
are certain ladies from European royalty who are allowed to wear white. Blest with special privileges for being
devoted followers of Christ. Bless their benign souls, birthright has its
privileges. And another item thinly
disguised as impartial takes a snipe sidewise at the somber look that the Pope
had during the pictorial commemorating the Trump visit. Implying a look of sadness and displeasure,
having to deal with a head of state with coarse manners and one who made bad
martial decisions, and of course, a current wife who had such a less than stellar
prior life as scantily-clad model.
Given the labored respectful tone
that several articles postured in narrating this particular visit and the
details provided, one, or maybe just me, may be disposed to think that the Pope
may have been “enslaved” by archaic pomp
and heraldry. Chokingly bound not just
with cumbersome niceties, but with a whole host of nuanced protocols he has to religiously
follow as Vicar of Christ. Indeed, the
papal office especially for this kind of visitors must weigh heavy on him. And what about all those pompous ceremonies
he has to observe with other important heads of state and global dignitaries,
etc.?
Observe the disconnect?
Jesus Christ, the overarching
potentate, albeit mystical, in the midst of all this, could not have been more diametrically
different, and a way out of place stranger in all these circumstances and
retelling. One could not find anyone more
unconcerned and uncaring about such silly protocols and such petty or maybe hypocritical
observances.
His lifelong association was
with the poor, the sinners, the disenfranchised, the simple and the pure of
heart. He sincerely and truly felt more at home and at ease with them, rather
than with those who presumably hold temporal powers and influence in the world.
Shying away from the more cultured and supposedly refined and sensitized ones. He
avoided like the plague practices and beliefs steeped in petty ceremonies. Stayed away from those who represented
temporal power and wealth and instead proudly walked with the simple and fish-smelly
folks.
Thus, some are wont say that
if Christ were to come back and relive his mission, he would not recognize
those who carry and supposedly honor his name and represent his kingdom.
And neither would they also recognize him,
much less accept him. A stranger in his
very own country.
Ironic shades of his original
visit? A gentle leader despised and
finally butchered and sacrificed in the altar of misplaced correctness, and
dogma.