This is a prerequisite for the post. Please enjoy today's Spanish lesson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnMlYFzyong
Speaking from a protestant tradition, I do not always pay much attention to the movements of the Catholic Church. In high school I was better aware of Catholic teaching and tradition while attending classes like Christian Non-Violence... and wasn't there one about sacraments and scriptures, and a few other religion classes at Holy Angels.
In response to an article in a recent google news feed, it seems like a good thing to see a photo of Pope Francis humbly washing and kissing an old man's feet. The photo was taken during a visit to an old-folks home during Holy Week. Among the men and women in the foot-washing line was a 75-year-old Muslim from Libya. According to the article - read more on the story
here - the Pope's actions garnered criticism from "ultra-traditionalist Catholics", presumably for interacting with a Muslim in this way, which also seems like a good thing.
Unless the Pope's highest priority is listening to his Public Relations Dude, this religious leader is sincerely leading through service. And if my memory serves me, these actions seem to echo Catholic social teachings I learned about at Holy Angels. I recall lessons and homilies highlighting the significance of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (a "mount"/hill in Galilee that I hope to see for myself come June!) Considering the results of the most recent peace talks between Jewish and Palestinian leaders in Israel - read more on that story
here - I hope more people can appreciate actions of interfaith like the Pope's foot-washing.
Nunca confíes en un millonario, citando el sermón de la montaña
OR
Never trust a millionaire, quoting the sermon on the sermon on the mount - Arcade Fire
On a quasi-related note, the Arcade Fire line above came through my speakers while I was reading about Pope Francis. It has always been a salient line to my ears and, I believe, a relevant critique of Christianity in the west. Additionally, in the mid 20th Century, it was these verses from the Gospel of Matthew that prompted Gandhi to critique Christians and their ability/inability to live up to their savior's message. In today's world, who would you trust quoting the sermon on the mount?