Fast Track

During my employment in a major computer company, something called ‘fast track’ was used to identify people who had the qualities to become a senior engineer or manager, and were able to leapfrog over others to get into their position faster than usual. The system worked most of the time, but sometimes the candidate messed up, and was dropped from the program. I can understand the need for such a system in business, but in matters of faith?

This week it was announced by Pope Francis that Pope John Paul II was ‘promoted’ to sainthood because there were two miracles attributed to him after his death. According to the 2 miracle rule, he can become a saint. In the same announcement, Pope John XXIII was also canonised to sainthood after being fast tracked into the position, although he had only one miracle attributed to his intervention after death. Is this really what has to be done to become a saint? Really??

I don’t want to offend or upset anyone, but I have a really big problem here. Either the Popes of the Roman Catholic church are right or the Bible is right. Both can’t be right, can they? A quick search found the word saint or saints used almost 100 times in the Bible, but the name was never first given after death. They were saints in life first. In fact, we are all considered saints in the eyes of God when our sins are forgiven as Paul says:

To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:2 and what about these other words of Paul when he says: For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5

So to my thinking, there are many saints alive and well in this world going about their ordinary lives, trying to live good, faithful and holy in God’s sight. I have been privileged to know some personally. Can someone show me in Scripture where becoming a saint is linked to miracles, whether one, two, or several? Or for that matter that anyone other than Jesus Christ can make all miracles happen? There is NO ONE standing between us and God, except Jesus Christ. Not a saint, and not an angel, just Jesus! What a great thought, so take heart my friend and know, when you are a child of God, you are already a saint, and that is a better place to be than in a pontiff’s letter of recommendation. After all, saints are not chosen by man, even a good man, but by the will of God. Sadly we have either forgotten all about what the Bible says, or we were never acquainted with it in the first place.

White Smoke

The world watches and waits for the next head of the Roman Catholic Church to be elected by the 115 Cardinals, who are locked away in their conclave in the Sistine Chapel, and voting until they get a 2/3rds majority for the one man who will lead them into the next phase of their church life. This could take a few days, or weeks, or even months as they settle on a clear winner.

The news programs who report on this momentous occasion talk in terms of the secular world. I hear words like, ‘who will vote with whom?’, and ‘ will some nations vote in block?’, and ‘Is it time for a change to a non European Pope?’ and even, ‘Will there be bad feelings between Cardinals if they don’t get their own way?’. I am sorry, but it looks and sounds like the reporting we get for the Eurovision Song Contest! Where is God in the process? The appointment of the most powerful man in the largest church in the world, is elected on a secular basis, or that is how it is reported. If the Pope is God’s man, then shouldn’t God have a say?

Ah, but hold on, it isn’t just the Roman Catholic Church who seems to have stopped using the divine wisdom of God in their deliberations, the mainstream Protestant churches do it too. When was the last time you heard the words from your minister or pastor when he or she came to lead your flock, ‘God called me here?’ We are subject to the same things, like elections, whether by the whole church or by an elected group of representatives. When a minister or pastor moves on, we hear words like, ‘I feel my ministry has finished here’, or ‘I want to be closer to my family who are in another place’, or worse still they are voted out of their church of choice.

Having said all that, I do believe that God still works and speaks through His people. If that means a voting process in an imperfect church, of whatever religious denomination, including puffs of white smoke, so be it. After all, does God have another way to work in His world, including His church, except through us, who are called by His name? If so, then please share your thoughts.

Should the Pope Resign?

"Should the Pope Resign?" This is the question raised on many fronts, by many people, and the background reason for the question is the severe and sinful act of child abuse by some priests in some countries.

Before we get into this question, let me put my own thoughts on record. Child abuse, any child abuse, whether it is physical, or emotional, or psychological, is wrong. It is sinful in any and all forms. I use the word 'sinful' because it best describes the way the church would normally talk, and it is the language understood by all church persuasions, no matter the denomination. I hope there is no doubt as to where I stand on this abhorrent action.

While I was growing up, the Pope was often referred to as 'infallible in church matters, and in matters of church law'. I was also taught that the Pope was not elected in a purely physical way. He was appointed by God, the next one in a long line of Popes going back to the first Pope, believed to be St Peter. (My Catholic friends can correct me if I am wrong). Fundamentally, the Pope was not only elected by men, he was also appointed by God! Where does resignation fit into this arrangement? It is not straight forward. The question goes right to the heart of who the Pope is believed to be by this church.

I have read many journalistic comments about this issue, but I have also learned that people who are a part of the media have their own personal axe to grind. They have their own agenda, and it is not always obvious. I believe the question should not be, "Should the Pope Resign?" but it should be "What should the church (any church) do if there is a clear case of child abuse by any of its priests or nuns or ministers?" My answer is that they all should be first removed from their position, then charged and taken to the secular courtroom. I say removed first because the church of God cannot thrive under an accusation of something as serious as child abuse. Prison is an easy and small price to pay for the abuse of an innocent child. The bible teaches that church leaders carry a greater burden and responsibility to God, than those they lead! 

As far as the accusation against the Pope is concerned, only two people know the truth, the Pope and God Himself. All other opinions carry no weight. There are arguments on both sides which could last for ever. Lets face it, the Pope will not, indeed cannot resign, for in doing so he will change the nature of the 'representative of God' here on earth, and in this church.

God tells us that 'vengeance is mine', and we started to talk about sin at the beginning. If we do believe that God is really a God of Love and Justice (therefore judgement), then His judgement on the Pope, and all of us too, is far more severe than anything a human courtroom could sentence us to. After all that, the lesson is one for us all. Live our lives in the light of our certain afterlife, whether in Heaven, or sadly in Hell. I for one am glad that I am not allowed to make that judgement! I am happy to leave it in the hands of Someone who knows better! Aren't you?