Pope visiting America. Is the circus in town?

[setarcos]

Strictly from an impartial observer, and I wish not to be offensive to anyone, but why does the atmosphere surrounding the popes visit seem so circus like? So worldly?
I get the fact that he is the pope, and a well liked one at that, but in the world we live in, with all the suffering and evil, it seems so undignified to see giggling nuns, flushed teens, all the goofing around and jubilant people, all the ridiculous trinkets being sold, t-shirts, rosaries, balloons, pastries, and all with the popes face on them.
Have we forgotten he is Christ’s servant? Where is Christ in all this? Have we forgotten the pope holds his position because Christ was tortured and crucified? Have we forgotten our joy should not be for this world but the next? Any joy we express should be a somber joy, with the realization we live in a fallen world as sinners with hope for salvation.
Realizing, though we may be saved there are those who may not. Friends, family members, our neighbors perhaps?
Or are we merely playing roles like we did as children with our friends, forgetting this world and the life we lived in it will pass away and with it all we were and did while in it?

 

[Trident_H]

I don’t know. I mean I think what would be worse is if no one showed up and no one cared. When people are happy about something they like to celebrate. Let them have their fun. Life’ll carry on as usual soon enough.

Peace.

-Trident

 

[JD1789]

These are good points. How do you think the Corinthians would act if Paul visited them assuming they had the crazy media ability we have today?

 

[Elizium23]

Would you rather that he rode into town on a donkey, while ebullient cheering crowds threw palm branches in front of him and waved them in the air, shouting “hosanna! hosanna!”

?

 

[amsjj]

I was so happy to see Pope Benedict in England, such a beautiful, holy man. I looked at him and felt God near in his humble presence. That’s what made his visit so special to me.

 

[boomerang]

It’s not a circus, it’s an enthusiastic welcome from people who love him. The same kind of welcome can be seen when Jesus made His entry into Jerusalem:

[The disciples] brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem,** the whole city was stirred** and asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

 

[marlap2]

I think it’s important to watch the Pope during the Mass. That’s where you see him in his reality. All the stuff around him? That’s people looking for signs, wonders and spectacle. I’m afraid we haven’t changed much from 1st century Jerusalem.

 

[ComplineSanFran]

Strictly from an impartial observer, and I wish not to be offensive to anyone, but why does the atmosphere surrounding the popes visit seem so circus like? So worldly?
I get the fact that he is the pope, and a well liked one at that, but in the world we live in, with all the suffering and evil, it seems so undignified to see giggling nuns, flushed teens, all the goofing around and jubilant people, all the ridiculous trinkets being sold, t-shirts, rosaries, balloons, pastries, and all with the popes face on them.
Have we forgotten he is Christ’s servant? Where is Christ in all this? Have we forgotten the pope holds his position because Christ was tortured and crucified? Have we forgotten our joy should not be for this world but the next? Any joy we express should be a somber joy, with the realization we live in a fallen world as sinners with hope for salvation.
Realizing, though we may be saved there are those who may not. Friends, family members, our neighbors perhaps?
Or are we merely playing roles like we did as children with our friends, forgetting this world and the life we lived in it will pass away and with it all we were and did while in it?

There is always a time for Palm Sunday and a reason to celebrate.

 

[pete_29]

I’ve been reading the comments on some of the news posts on facebook today. I have never seen such a bunch of clueless individuals criticizing something they obviously know nothing about. One more of these “Bible Christians” tells me that Catholics believe that the Pope is God and my head will explode and trust me that will be one heck of a mess.

 

[franklinstower]

I’m not even Catholic and I am caught up in the exuberance of this Pope visiting. He is a powerful force of good in the world- he has an effect on many people. I have friends who are deeply spiritual but not even Christian who are hanging in his every word-- they believe he has the potential to awaken love in us again-- and unity.

The Pope is the head of the largest Christian Church in the world and he is on a mission to re-awaken love and inclusivity in the hearts of the faithful. There is just much to celebrate here.

Now imagine believing that he is the successor of Peter on top of all of the great goodwill that seems to be shining off of him… Its OK if your not feeling it but please understand many others are and none of them are forgetting Jesus Christ, we are celebrating Christ and experiencing Christ being reflected to us through one of his disciples. That’s my take at least.

 

[iohannes13]

Strictly from an impartial observer, and I wish not to be offensive to anyone, but why does the atmosphere surrounding the popes visit seem so circus like? So worldly?
I get the fact that he is the pope, and a well liked one at that, but in the world we live in, with all the suffering and evil, it seems so undignified to see giggling nuns, flushed teens, all the goofing around and jubilant people, all the ridiculous trinkets being sold, t-shirts, rosaries, balloons, pastries, and all with the popes face on them.
Have we forgotten he is Christ’s servant? Where is Christ in all this? Have we forgotten the pope holds his position because Christ was tortured and crucified? Have we forgotten our joy should not be for this world but the next? Any joy we express should be a somber joy, with the realization we live in a fallen world as sinners with hope for salvation.
Realizing, though we may be saved there are those who may not. Friends, family members, our neighbors perhaps?
Or are we merely playing roles like we did as children with our friends, forgetting this world and the life we lived in it will pass away and with it all we were and did while in it?

Your comments sound very similar to Judas’ comments when he complained about the woman who cleaned Christ’s feet with the fancy oils and perfumes. He said something or other that it was a waste because the oils and perfumes could be sold and the money used to feed the poor. It turns out Judas embezzled the disciples money. So in the end, Judas was found only coveting the money and not caring about the poor.

Don’t you ever celebrate and laugh and feel joy?

 

[7_Sorrows]

I don’t know. I mean I think what would be worse is if no one showed up and no one cared. When people are happy about something they like to celebrate. Let them have their fun. Life’ll carry on as usual soon enough.

Peace.

-Trident

Could you imagine if he came and no one showed up? what an excellent point. how sad that would be!!!
The Pope visiting the U.S. brings hope and joy. I missed seeing this afternoon’s Mass. I wanted to watch it so bad, but had to go pick up my new eyeglasses.

 

[Trident_H]

Could you imagine if he came and no one showed up? what an excellent point. how sad that would be!!!
The Pope visiting the U.S. brings hope and joy. I missed seeing this afternoon’s Mass. I wanted to watch it so bad, but had to go pick up my new eyeglasses.

Thanks 7S. Yeah. I kind of got a sad image when I wrote that. But I mean I’m just so glad that’s not the case. I’m so glad it can be an exciting thing for people. It shows the spirit is still willing to be moved. There’s still joy for God and His rep on earth. That’s the fun part. What could be better than throwing a big party about it?

Peace 7 Sorrows. You’ve always been good support to me. Thanks for that.

-Trident

 

[7_Sorrows]

Thanks 7S. Yeah. I kind of got a sad image when I wrote that. But I mean I’m just so glad that’s not the case. I’m so glad it can be an exciting thing for people. It shows the spirit is still willing to be moved. There’s still joy for God and His rep on earth. That’s the fun part. What could be better than throwing a big party about it?

Peace 7 Sorrows. You’ve always been good support to me. Thanks for that.

-Trident

:tiphat: You are welcome!

 

[pianistclare]

:coffeeread:
Seems pretty mean spirited to me to begrudge a wonderful man who is leading 1.2 billion people of the faithful with such love, respect, and admiration.
But hey, that’s just me.

 

[Dorothy]

Strictly from an impartial observer, and I wish not to be offensive to anyone, but why does the atmosphere surrounding the popes visit seem so circus like? So worldly?
I get the fact that he is the pope, and a well liked one at that, but in the world we live in, with all the suffering and evil, it seems so undignified to see giggling nuns, flushed teens, all the goofing around and jubilant people, all the ridiculous trinkets being sold, t-shirts, rosaries, balloons, pastries, and all with the popes face on them.
Have we forgotten he is Christ’s servant? Where is Christ in all this? Have we forgotten the pope holds his position because Christ was tortured and crucified? Have we forgotten our joy should not be for this world but the next? Any joy we express should be a somber joy, with the realization we live in a fallen world as sinners with hope for salvation.
Realizing, though we may be saved there are those who may not. Friends, family members, our neighbors perhaps?
Or are we merely playing roles like we did as children with our friends, forgetting this world and the life we lived in it will pass away and with it all we were and did while in it?

People react from where they are…and they are joyful! We know there is much to pray for, and the impact of this visit will be around for a long time.

All Christians need to pray for those whose joy is not for the next world!

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

 

[runwaymodel]

He real circus involves the clowns who swarm towards ‘celebrities’ like the Kardashian’s and Miley Cyrus’s of the world. I live in Los Angeles and this truly boggles my mind.

Now, a man of God like the Pope who is not only incredibly influential not just towards the billion or so Catholics around the world, but to regular non-believers who have been moved by his kind acts (not just words) and humbleness. Who else do you know who can do that? I only wish he came to California just to be in the same state as this holy man, but I’m not greedy. My fellow east coast Americans can enjoy that honor.

 

[Kurisu35712]

Strictly from an impartial observer, and I wish not to be offensive to anyone, but why does the atmosphere surrounding the popes visit seem so circus like? So worldly?
I get the fact that he is the pope, and a well liked one at that, but in the world we live in, with all the suffering and evil, it seems so undignified to see giggling nuns, flushed teens, all the goofing around and jubilant people, all the ridiculous trinkets being sold, t-shirts, rosaries, balloons, pastries, and all with the popes face on them.
Have we forgotten he is Christ’s servant? Where is Christ in all this? Have we forgotten the pope holds his position because Christ was tortured and crucified? Have we forgotten our joy should not be for this world but the next? Any joy we express should be a somber joy, with the realization we live in a fallen world as sinners with hope for salvation.
Realizing, though we may be saved there are those who may not. Friends, family members, our neighbors perhaps?
Or are we merely playing roles like we did as children with our friends, forgetting this world and the life we lived in it will pass away and with it all we were and did while in it?

I’m really not sure where you get the idea that anything is circus-like or worldly. Unless you consider people being happy and celebrating being circus-like. I’m sure you’re fun at parties. In all seriousness though, why are you begrudging people who are excited to be able to meet the leader of their Church? Giggling, goofing around, and being jubilant are undignified actions now?

No Catholic forgets that we are here because of Jesus’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Every altar in a Catholic church puts literal spatial emphasis on the Crucifix, with Jesus on it, as a reminder of that very Sacrifice. I’ve yet to see a Protestant who wears a crucifix, and I’ve actually had them criticize me as a Catholic because we have full crucifixes in our churches. The statement I bolded makes me seriously concerned for your emotional well-being. It’s one thing to be solemn and reverent, but we were never called to be that way all the time. For all the bad we see in the world, God has given us many things to be thankful and joyful for as well. The world isn’t a pessimistic tide of negativity unless you choose to see it that way.

 

[mikekle]

I was wondering the same thing while watching the news coverage, not so about the regular citizens there to see him, but the general nature of everything else, the Govt, the media, politicians, etc. Seems to me like the Popes visit is just the big ticket current ‘show/circus’, many disagree with key beliefs anyway, but they want everyone to see them excited, they want to appear like they care, but in reality, would the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah been as welcoming to a pope…I doubt it…??? How is the US any different?

I found it very strange the Whitehouse, who not so long ago, felt so great about making SSM legal, lit up the Whitehouse in rainbow colors to show their support…a few months later, they are overly excited about a Pope visiting…they welcome him in with open arms…???

As soon as his visit is over, those who are currently so excited about it, will go back to blasting the church, its beliefs about SSM, abortion, etc. They just have to make sure to put on a good ‘show’ for all the voters.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I was wondering the same thing while watching the news coverage, not so about the regular citizens there to see him, but the general nature of everything else, the Govt, the media, politicians, etc. Seems to me like the Popes visit is just the big ticket current ‘show/circus’, many disagree with key beliefs anyway, but they want everyone to see them excited, they want to appear like they care, but in reality, would the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah been as welcoming to a pope…I doubt it…??? How is the US any different?

I found it very strange the Whitehouse, who not so long ago, felt so great about making SSM legal, lit up the Whitehouse in rainbow colors to show their support…a few months later, they are overly excited about a Pope visiting…they welcome him in with open arms…???

As soon as his visit is over, those who are currently so excited about it, will go back to blasting the church, its beliefs about SSM, abortion, etc. They just have to make sure to put on a good ‘show’ for all the voters.

I agree with your take on the politicians and our President. I was very disapointed in the way the White House flaunted the win in the Supreme Court for SSM and we know Obama’s stance on abortion.
However, I believe the people on the streets are sincere in their desire to see the Holy Father and celebrate the joy of him visiting our country.

Obama wants everyone to see him receive praise from the Pope on immigration, climate change and Cuba.