Pope's Visit To Fátima, Portugal (12th-13th May, 2017)

Good read, Josh! Popes aren't my thing, and while it's their choice to have all the fanfare, I don't believe that any of it is needed to trust in God.

Hello Madame Lavender, as far as I can figure out, the message of Jesus was that the time of the middle-men was over - we each have access to divine forces in consciousness. Thank you for reading & commenting.

a like ya sayin what ya seein josh. though i don't agree with many things ya say here, your peom is written with good intent a see, internal revolutionary in ya is speakin out here. loud and clear

Hi Walker, I reckon we are all free to evolve in consciousness without the middle-men taking their %cut. Thanks for commenting again.

HaH! Yesssss! 'Nuff said!

Thanks Gerry, :)

Heh.eh That's Jerry!

My apologies; I'll spell it right next time - promise :)

First, what a fantastic form and rhyme scheme, Josh. I had no issue reading at all. If flowed.

Secondly, this is why I LOVE Pope Francis ( albeit I'm not Catholic ). He is so humble in presentation and eschews the regalia so associated with the papal history.  The middle-man was a means for man to maintain control, and interjection between belief and divine connection.

Although, in all fairness, I do know many a beautiful Catholic who walk the walk. Ergo, there is some Truth in everything that exists; we just need search it out.

Hello Ahavati, thank you for commenting. I know Pope Francis is treading a special line as head of such a powerful institution; I hope he manages to bring about the right kind of change. Humility and great courage will be needed, that's for sure. I also like many people in the catholic tradition (Henri Nouwen, Thomas Moore, Anthony De Mello, Thomas Merton, Thomas Keating, Dom Hélder Câmera); the big institutions in my opinion are very fortunate to have such people (well, some get kicked out) as well as (as you say) the many wonderful everyday folk quietly walking their journey of faith. My 'favourite' is Brother Roger of the Taizé Community in France where I spent some time in the past. I'm also something of a fan of Frederick Beuchner in the Protestant/Anglican tradition. For me, the trouble with any large institution is that they wield huge ideological power over young minds, and I guess as one who went through that experience myself I am particularly sensitive to the sight of large crowds expecting some figure-head to deliver for them what they should be figuring out for themselves. That's part of what the poem is all about - recognising our part (colluders) in perpetuating the dark side of any institution. We're here to evolve in consciousness, although I can see that playing that journey out as part of a religious institution also has its value.

I was confirmed in the Episcopalian Anglican church, and was married to a Freewill Baptist Pastor for 20 years. Also attended Colorado Bible College ( now Charis ) and served as a missionary to Central America, e.g. - post revolution Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica. I do know exactly what you're referring to.    

My mission was to deliver food to the hungry, medicine to the sick, clothing to the naked, and shelter to the homeless. I was honestly clueless about the price these hungry, starving, cold, and homeless natives would be required to pay for it.   Say a prayer and we'll feed you. Accept Jesus first and then we'll give you medicine. Ask forgiveness then we'll cover you with this blanket.    

Then over supper brag about "saving" an entire village.    

I definitely felt like a colluder in perpetuating the dark side of Christianity, and can only hope that experience enlightened me.  Mother Theresa got it; she Loved. That should be all that's required of each of us toward the other because Love is priceless.

An interesting journey you have had ... respect.  
"Mother Theresa got it; she Loved. That should be all that's required of each of us toward the other because Love is priceless." I think that sums it up very well  :)

I'm very much a lapsed catholic myself.
I say lapsed,
maybe collapsed
would be putting it better.
it wore me out ...

 ... I'm sure back-sliders are very warmly welcomed back into the fold ...