It is a ritual that many
religions have. This one represents the burning of the palm tree branches that
were used during the procession of Jesus to his death hung on a cross. It marks
the most important and saddest point in the Catholic Church; all leading up to
Easter Sunday which is a happy day representing the miracle of Jesus rising
from his tomb going back to heaven. Call it a great
fictional story or call it the basic story that determines all life. The Bible
is here to stay and people are constantly thanking God at any award show for
their accomplishments in life.
What they aren’t doing is
attending Church and making time for Masses. Well, there is a severe shortage
of priests so many Churches are now sharing clergy and limiting the amount of
church services. A new thing this year is that some churches offered open doors
all day and put your own thumb print on your head. I thought that was a sin?
One year as a boy I put my grandmother’s cigarette ashes on my head and fooled
everyone. I felt guilty and thought I would rot in hell for all eternity so I
went to confession. Religion is all about feeling guilty so you can become a
better person.

He is the first non-European
Pope in one thousand years. And from Argentina. His resume is fascinating having
worked in a chemical laboratory, loves to dance the Tango and was even a
bouncer in a club before he gave his life up to God. Yes, the spiritual leader
of the world’s 1.2 Billion Catholics was one of those guys who kicked
troublemakers out of dance clubs. Hour
can you not love that?
The editors of Time Magazine
loved him by naming Pope Francis their person of the year with a cover picture.
Considering that the other choices included Senator Ted Cruz and Miley Cyrus, all I can say is Thank God. He has started new
conversation’s on important issues:
1.He wants a more inclusive
Catholic Church, one that has a larger role for women in it.
2.He wants compassion for victims
of abuse by Priests and non-believers and Gays. He said, “Who am I to judge.”
3.He drew a connection between
living one’s faith and the very real issue of income inequality. He challenged
the trickle down economic theory writing that, “It expresses a crude and naive
trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power.” He proves his opinion
by living simply.
4. He turned down living in the luxurious
Papal Residence and chose a simple Vatican guest house.
5.He drives a Ford Focus and it
hurts him seeing Priests driving fancy cars paid for by donations. He says, “Be humble. If you like the fancy
one, just think of how many children are dying from hunger in the world..”
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