What Would You Most Like Pope Francis To Do?

[otjm]

"3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages[a] and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me." (Mk 14:3-6)

I say bring back the regal pomp and ceremony. To honor the Church is to honor God. There is a dignity and authority to be found in ceremony and grandeur. That said, I think those of us who want to see such things restored will be left waiting for a future Pope. It does not appear to be the current Holy Father’s mission, if yesterday was any indication.

There is also phenomenal dignity in simplicity. As I said in another post, if you have a chance, go to a Trappist abbey and attend Mass.

 

[otjm]

Unfortunately, the reverse is going to be true. If the Pope takes a hard line with people who are in favor of abortion rights, traditional sexual teaching, and other social issues, it will cause more division than unite. On the one hand the Church needs to make all aware of it’s teachings, rules and laws. And don’t say that people are aware because it’s quite obvious by the posts on this and many threads that people are simply not knowledgeable of the Church’s teachings. But on the other hand, it will cause people to either 1) leave the Church, or 2) ignore Church teachings and go on with their lives like they have before. But it won’t unite people. It will pull the traditional people together and everyone else apart.

You sell Catholics too short. Many are orthodox but do not identify themselves as “traditional people” or “traditionalists”. If the Pope takes a hard line, the orthodox will not be pulled apart.

As to the others, Benedict spoke of a “remnant Church” already… And I am reminded of a New Testament saying, about not being received, and then going out and shaking the dust off one’s sandals. It still applies. The Church is here to bring salvation to all; but it is not here to chase them down; they have to accept. If they do not, that is a personal choice, not the choice of the Church.