Countdown

How cute! 

It is countdown to the big visit, with the arrival here of Pope Francis on the 20th.  As the time gets closer, I can feel the emotions, out there and in here, rising.  I see and feel the excitement of people.  I also see the flawed nerves as ones push for what they want in getting their tickets for the papal mass and their spots on the day. 

What I see and experience around this visit astonishes me as I would never have thought that a papal visit was reduced to hysteria and pandemonium.  People vent anger because they miss out on a ticket or do not get the service they expect.  Others are on and on about arrangements and making sure that everyone knows.  It goes on and on.  I just stand back and think I am so happy that on the day of the mass, I will be sitting at my coffee shop watching from afar.  I just cannot get into all of this.  Maybe it is me.  I wish that I could see and feel the other side, but I can't.  What is it? 

Disillusionment? 

I think so. Disillusionment, arising out of my experience which arises from both institutional and personal levels. 

At the institutional level, I see business being done and money being made and spent, with agendas to be supported and furthered. 
At the personal level, I see people losing a sense of perspective, reacting emotionally and irrationally, thereby losing the plot and even getting angry when they do not get what they want. 

This is my experience.  I do not deny it nor do I try to put it onto others. It is just my experience leading to my held position on a papal visit.  I recognize that my position does not adhere to the held norm within a Catholic community but then that is why I judge it worth writing it up.  For one who sees the present pope as a hero, it is not a position that I would have expected but it has arisen naturally, given my standing in the Thai Church - a standing that I would never enjoy back home.  I guess I am too close to the action and I see what I see. 

So my bottom line concerning a pastoral visit to this country by a great man of world and Church is that a pastoral visit by Pope Francis, proclaimed as one of peace and love, has much love because of the man himself but little peace because of all that surrounds the visit.   

Despite all, may peace and justice truly reign under the blessing of a man of true love and humility. 
Viva Papa! As it says on the local souvenir scarf.  Bring on the double expresso.