POPE FRANCIS AND SIMPLICITY

Pope Francis and Simplicity

“You will see angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man” (John 1, 51).

You can read the Bible from eight years of age till eighty, and each time you do, you will discover something new, something that will make you think. For instance, Jesus speaks about heaven opening and the angels of God ascending and descending. If heaven opens, one would expect angels to descend, to come down, not to ascend, to go up. Perhaps when heaven opens, everything is turned upside down, as one hymn makes out. As children, we used to play on the slides in the park. We climbed up the ladder and came sliding down. Some of us more enterprising would come down upside down – a great achievement. The “shirs-asana” is the standing on one’s head: it helps much to get a proper perspective of reality. It is also recommended in the classroom for those who are sleepy. We also know from Physics that the image that falls on the retina of the eye is actually upside down.

G.K. Chesterton said that in order to get a true perspective of reality, we should stand on our heads. He said that since St. Peter was crucified upside down, he saw the landscape as it truly is: with the sky like a vast blue field and the stars like beautiful white flowers on it; and the clouds like hills; and best of all, all men hanging on the mercy of God. Which is what matters ultimately: that everything hangs on the mercy of God. Only the simple realise that. For the simple see how Faith has turned everything in their life topsy turvy. They are like the angels, for angels are simple, as we know from philosophy. And being upside down they are in a position to ascend to heaven. Thus Pope Francis is turning the world on its head.

G. K. Chesterton said that angels fly because they take themselves lightly. And Jesus said, “If your eye be simple, your whole body will be lightsome.” To have a simple eye is to have a pure intention, not to be weighed down by complications or by conflicting motivations. A lightsome body is not enslaved by passions, attachments and worldly concerns. If we are looking only for God we can rest secure and feel no fear. Since our heart is fixed on God, there is nothing that can disturb us, not even our own failings. Pope Francis described himself as “a sinner.” As simple as that! And yet he has not abolished sin. His statement, “Who am I to judge (homosexuals)” is entirely consistent with the compassionate mind of Jesus; but this cannot be construed as an approval of homosexual acts. So also Pope Francis has continued the tradition of the Social teaching of the Church, initiated by Pope Leo XIII’s “Rerum Novarum” (1880), by standing for the primacy of humanity rather than the principle of “profit” at the expense of the rights of the workers.

“Simple” is such an easy word to use, that it has almost become debased currency. It need not mean a kind of holy moron or someone too lazy to use what brains he has about his faith. It should mean someone who, possibly after great struggle, arrives at a candid unselfconscious dynamic security in belief – a belief that cannot fail to communicate itself to others to their deep enrichment. Like a fragrant charm, simple faith is caught, not taught. Pope Francis’ fragrant faith is charming people back to Sunday Mass and renewal of faith.