The chapel message this semester at work (AKA the school where I work) is focused on the busyness of students’ lives.  Every week they hear how necessary it is to shake off that busyness.  Their achievements don’t make up their identities, and working on holistic, slow-paced habits helps them move toward a greater sense of self, appreciation and God.  They’re wondering, how are we supposed to experience God when we’re too busy to notice what’s happening around us?

Simultaneously, as they are hearing and trying to live into this slower reality, I am running around school with my camera, checking my watch every 30 minutes to make sure I’m not late for the next appointment and skipping lunch breaks to meet deadlines.  I had to be at work early two days this past week, and by Friday, I was completely done.

Many passages in the Bible are quick to condemn pride.  Some even refer to it as the deadliest of all sins.  The book of Proverbs, with all of its compact wisdom, offers these words on the topic:

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace;
    but wisdom is with the humble. (Proverbs 11:2)”

According to this logic, immediately following pride comes shame and disgrace.  So it seems pretty simple… Right?  Don’t be prideful, don’t be arrogant, keep the ego in check. Got it… 

But, if only it were that simple…

Yes, it was Francis’ first visit to the United States and only the seventh official papal visit to the U.S. since the U.S. established full diplomatic relations with the Holy See in 1984. But the question still stands: why are we so captivated by Pope Francis?