Fourteen Men…..

I was raised in a Baptist Church by a mother who attended regularly and a father, a warrior, who attended seldom. A Southern Baptist Church in rural South Carolina was as traditional as it gets. The minister could raise hell, warn against sin, and preach the Gospel all in a single service that might last several hours or more. We had funeral home fans and sat quietly less your grandmother or grandfather squeeze your collarbone in some sort of a marshal arts hold taught to all grandparents. They could come close to extracting your collarbone and beating you with it. There was little political commentary and I had no idea what a gay person was, but I endured the sermon and loved the hymns.

I began today watching the funeral of the Pope, the head of the very large Catholic Church. He was a controversial Pope by any standard, leading a church that was, as many faiths today are, suffering through turmoil with a strongly political or sexuality overtone. Even so, we never doubted his goodwill and deep Christian roots. He is counseling with the Master today, as sure as the sun rises this morning. There is something reassuring about the Catholic Faith. Not unlike the military, that I revere. They are wrapped in pomp and circumstance, with a ritual for any conceivable human activity from birth to death. Even the non-faithful are awed by the smoke, kneeling and Latin in traditional Catholic services. Their devout nature, somehow, is reassuring. Today the Cardinals and attendants will awe the world with their strictly structured funeral mass as they set aside the internal politics of the Church. The Holy Father will be rightfully honored in front of the world.

After this beautiful send off to eternity, the politics will begin at the highest level in the Church. I remarked to a devout Catholic friend that the halls of the Vatican will resemble the halls of Congress, perhaps in a more civil manner. He agreed, there will be religious and political intrigue until the next Pope is selected. I once sat on a Methodist Church Board, and believe me when I tell you the gossip and opining will shock you. Being a Church leader, in any faith, in today’s climate is a job for iron willed folks with uncanny leadership ability.

I am writing today, not to warn about the human nature of the Church, rather to commend the Catholic Church that I hold a deep respect for……with an honest appreciation for both it’s strength and notable weaknesses. My deepest respect is for the fourteen men who hoisted the platform with the Pope’s coffin onto their shoulders. If you watch closely, they are close to herniating themselves in this task. The Pope was a large man, and the Catholic Faith dictates a lead lining to the coffin which is made of a dense wood, cypress. Were I to attend this ceremony, and have the occasion to meet with the folks handling this event I would heartily shake the hands of those fourteen men. They are symbolic of the strength of the Catholic Church. May it forever endure.

Have a great week!

SR