Breaking Tradition in the Name of Jesus

Yahoo news continues its coverage of the unconventional actions of Pope Francis. An article by Nicole Winfield describes some of the actions that we are already familiar with and adds a few more to the list:

• He shuns the use of the ermine-adorned, red velvet cape (also called a mozetta) that past popes have used while engaging in their papal duties; instead he only wears a white papal cassock.
• He refused a golden pectoral cross.
• When receiving traditional pledges of obedience from the Cardinals, he would not sit in a chair on a pedestal, opting instead to stand at the same level as the other churchmen.

Visit: http://news.yahoo.com/popes-foot-wash-final-straw-traditionalists-004235548.html 

Catholic conservatives were happy when ex-Pope Benedict worked to revive the pomp and ceremony associated with the Church. These clerics wanted a return to the way things were before ex-Pope John had changed them; for example, perhaps masses would be said in Latin again. Pope Francis' nonhierarchical approach upsets these conservatives. They want their pomp and vainglory untouched. 

Why does this recall the Sanhedrin of Biblical times? Or King Herod? One can see an image of Jesus in his simple garb as he confronted his gold-bedecked enemies. They, so rich and powerful, feared that this ragged being would bring their temple—and hence their power—down. The money changers of today are fearful once again because their wealth is tossed aside by a man who they call the Pope.

Didn't Jesus Christ break the rules of his time? Didn't he flout tradition and heal the sick on the Sabbath? Didn't he baptize people? Didn't he "profane" the temple by scattering the money changers? Didn't he utter what was considered blasphemy in his time?

Hardcore traditionalists also do not like Pope Francis' interfaith approach, for example, his calling for "the friendship of our Muslim brothers and sisters." This statement was made in a prayer ceremony designed to recalled the suffering of Christians in the Middle East. Their complaint is that this attitude could create religious relativism—a concept that warms the cockles of my progressive heart. What about the conversion of Saul, who eventually brought Christianity to the gentiles after receiving a message from G-d in a dream about diversity?

And Pope Francis' unusual foot-washing ceremony yesterday is a story that really has legs. It won't go away! That is because traditionalists are highly peeved that he broke liturgical law, which requires that the ceremony only be performed with men. It is supposed to reenact "Jesus washing of the feet of his 12 apostles during the Last Supper before his crucifixion, a sign of his love and service to them." Ergo, only men can get their feet washed by the Pope.

The conservatives claim that Pope Francis including women in the rite could lead to a slippery slope—this one change in the rite could lead downhill to the ordination of women. Oh I wish! I would consider it an uphill change, but I know that's not going to happen on this Pope's watch.

Indeed, one traditionalist cleric/blogger, Rev. John Zuhlsdorf warns: 

What liberals forget in their present crowing is that even as Francis makes himself—and the church—more popular by projecting [a] compassionate image, he will simultaneously make it harder for them to criticize him when he reaffirms the doctrinal points they want him to overturn.

What the Reverend doesn't understand is that not every liberal is crowing about progressivism in the Church theology. We know that remains unchanged. Some progressives are remaining as cool to the Church as ever. However, I am one liberal who is crowing—but it's about about really conservative changes that go back all the way to the time of Jesus Christ. That means no pomp, no hierarchy, and no riches—just simple living and giving aid and comfort to the poor instead. When I say conservative, I do not mean what we think is "conservative" today. I mean going all the way back—all the way to the heart of why Christianity came to be—to relieve the suffering of humanity, especially the poor.

The rest is all politics, and it's all man-made, with the emphasis on man! These people forget that the first person Jesus appeared to after he rose was Mary Magdelene. He instructed her to go and tell the men about it. Within the mores of Biblical times, I believe, Jesus did his best to include women in his gathering but women just weren't able at that time to rough it on the road.

Why, after all, is the Virgin Mary, such a central figure in Catholic theology? Why are so many Catholic songs and prayers addressed directly to her? Have you heard any complaints from Jesus about that? I haven't.

This liberal says: "Viva Pope Francis!" Unchurched but happy, she waits for the rest of her progressive agenda to come to fruition in the Church, someday, with some other Pope, in some other time. For now, as they say in Argentina "Basta!" It is enough. Jesus broke tradition. So, it's traditional for Pope Francis to break tradition.