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We're coming right up on Palm Sunday, celebrating the day Jesus rode into
Jerusalem on a donkey. |
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Now, here comes the Pope, riding into Jerusalem on his Pope-mobile. |
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Lots more people noticed the Pope than noticed Jesus. Where was TV when
we needed it? |
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I watched with some interest while the Pope toured the traditional sites
of biblical stories. It's been quite a few years since I covered that ground.
It is a great place for piety and reflection—and cynicism. |
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The guides are likely to say, “This is the very place where…” Your eyes
glaze over as you try to remember the story of the woman at the well, or
carrying of the cross, or the sermon on the mount. My eyes rolled, I'm
afraid, when our leader pointed to a foot-sized indentation in a rock and
told us it was the point at which Jesus ascended into heaven. Apparently
it took a mighty push off. |
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And someone says, “The story must be historical, because here's the very
place mentioned in the Bible.” No one stops to think how many fictional
stories are set in historical places. It improves the story, but not the
history. |
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In the future we can do the Holy Land thing and visit sites now revered
because the Pope was there, whether Jesus ever was or not. |
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I was happy to see that they didn't make the old Pope carry a cross up
the Via Dolorosa as so many pious pilgrims do. Anyone can do it, of course.
There is a Rent-A-Cross business right there. You have to turn it back
when you're done. I guess Jesus didn't have that choice. |
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Pope Paul didn't try walking on water. Just sat there and prayed over the
Sea of Galilee. At least I went swimming. I tried walking on the water,
but sank. I came closer when swimming in the Dead Sea. I couldn't walk
on it, but I couldn't sink either. |
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Everyone wondered whether the Pope would come right out and apologize for
the Catholic non-response to the Holocaust. I don't think he did, but he
did apologize for Christian atrocities and anti-Semitism for 2000 years.
I'm not sure saying, “I'm sorry,” really cuts it. Too little, too late.
The seeds of bigotry have been so well watered and fertilized by Christians
through the ages that roots will probably never be removed. It was a long
overdue gesture and nicely staged by the Pope and his aides. I hope Christians
paid attention. |
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It was nice seeing some Jews and Moslems and Christians shaking hands.
But if you've seen the day by day struggles for possession and use of various
holy sites between the various religions and between factions within the
same religion, you have to be skeptical of any real interfaith breakthrough.
Again, a worthy gesture. |
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The Pope seemed to be having a deeply spiritual time of it as he went to
these various places. I would like to have known what was actually going
on in his mind, because he surely is aware of the historical doubts surrounding
most of these sites. Although sometimes awed at these sites I didn't have
a sense of holiness about them. No mystic feelings or visions flooded over
me. Maybe it's different for Popes. |
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I can tell you that if you want to feel close to the Holy, you can do it
as well—and cheaper—at home. The Holy does not abide in any land or building.
As Master Eckhart once said: “To go around looking for God
is like sitting on an ox looking for an ox to ride.” |
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Of course, if you're the Pope, you probably don't have to look for the
Holy. You're it. But once in a while, just for kicks, you take the Pope-mobile
out for a spin. You see some sights and make a little history. Not a bad
way to prepare for Easter.
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Art Morgan, March 2000
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