A pinch of Perspective

As an Orthoodox Christian there are certain things that are done differently, to that of the adherents of the Roman Catholic tradition. World Youth Day is just one of the major examples, and the most recent. Today i watched the World Youth Day- Super thursday proceedings from home. In my opinion, the best seat in the house.

Listening to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI's speech there was one thing that came to mind. Watching him, in his German accent, address the youth of the world that had gathered at Barangaroo made me smile. Watching the proceedings taking place reminded me a lot of the masses i took part in, mostly out of obligation, at school.

I couldn't help but smile ever more, when His Holiness addressed the crowd in various languages; French, German, Spanish and Italian. I couldn't help but think 1) How well spoken he must be in other languages, and 2) How smart he was in doing so, as a way of rallying the young catholics gathered.

Like it or not, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, is one of the largest personalities Christianity has to offer. What i couldn't help but admire him for was the way he was doing the job of leading the Roman Catholic faith of the world. Being a priest, in my opinion, is no easy feat. It's about a person, often a man, carrying the prayers, sins, confessions and carrying the responsibility of guiding the congregation. Maybe i don't have the will- power, or the spiritual strength to do that, which is why i admire the ability of others to do it. The office of the Pontiff of Rome, however, being the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, the Bishop of Rome, means that a person has the entire faith on their backs. It is your responsibility to ensure that the adherents of the Roman Catholic faith are lead in the right way to salvation.

Take a moment to think about how vast the Roman Catholic faith is in the world, then think about one man, the Pontiff, the Pope, being at the head of all this. It's a position that amplifies his mistakes, and failures. Being the Pontiff, the Pope, Peter's successor; there lives this rumour amongst people who prefer to criticise the church, (and i use the term loosely here to refer to both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions of Christianity), that holding such an office, the Pope's and Patriarch's of Christianity shouldn't be making mistakes. They're the "men of God". What these critcs fail to see is that our Pope's and Patriarch's are, first and foremost, humans. Thus, like all humans, they, too, have the God- given right to make mistakes. We are not all perfect. In fact, we are all far from perfect, and anyone who professes to be perfect is the furthest of all. Save one man who's influence and love and sacrifice is still remembered today.

Being the Pope is not easy. I'm not saying it's the hardest job of all. I'm not saying it's the hardest life- style to live. What i am saying is: Perhaps the Pope is more deserving of the respect of people, than he's actually recieved. Not only from the adherents of the faith that he guides and serves, so well. Perhaps he also deserves the respect of those who don't for being a fellow human being, who is trying to achieve something in his life. So many feel strongly for what he is attempting to achieve, not just for himself, but, selflessly, for the many he does and does not know.

Whilst he may not have done anything for you, think about this. At least the Pontiff, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI hasn't lied to you as much or as often as the politicians that we entrust to lead our nations and guide us into the future. At least the Pope has been honest and truthful in his mission and Papacy.

At the very least, he deserves respect for being one of the few truthful people in a position of influence. If, in any way, the Pope has been untruthful, then it is not for me to judge him. I am not an adherent of the Roman Catholic faith. Thus, he has not mislead me. I would imagine, though, that he would have much to answer for, if he truely believes in the second coming. Having said this, however, i pray that the Pope of Rome continues to be lead by the Holy Spirit and by the Grace of God.

One day, perhaps one day, either in or after my life- time, there may come the day where Christianity will again breathe with both its lungs, and the word of God will spread throughout the body of Christ, which is the church. Here, again, i refer to both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions of Christianity.