15 New Year Resolutions

Christmas- What Do We Celebrate? A Great Light

15 New Year Resolutions

In listing the 15 diseases of the Vatican Curia during his second Christmas message on December 22nd to the Roman Curia, Pope Francis electrified, perhaps even scandalized both the world wide religious and secular media. But a brief scan of the list demonstrates the wisdom, knowledge, and truth that went into compiling the list of these ‘diseases’. Pope Francis has provided the perfect template for 15 New Years Resolutions not just for those men in red but for each of us struggling in this world to find peace.

If we take the time to read each one, we know immediately that each of the 15 does, or has in our past, applied to each and everyone of us; none of us is immune, those of us with institutional power of even tiny departments can recognize many of these insidious habits which can seem innocuous but over time, take root and begin to define us. Moreover, a scan at the bureaucratic complexity of the Roman Curia demonstrates the need for each and every item on the list. These are mere men, after all; the robes and offices provide no antidotes to our all too human flaws.

Why then was the Pope’s message so incendiary?

Pope Francis begin the now notorious list of 15 diseases with what he calls the ‘disease of feeling immortal or essential’. Reminiscent of one of my favorite Dickens stories, A Christmas Carol, the Pope advises the members of the Curia to visit cemeteries as an antidote to the seductive belief that everything depends on me- this disease emanates from “the pathology” of power and from “narcissism.”
The list of ‘excessive activity’, the 2nd of the infamous 15, strikes home. The Pope alludes to my Gospel friend Martha who complains to Jesus about her sister Mary’s passivity when there is food to be prepared and served, reminding his listeners of Jesus’ admonition to Martha that Mary had the ‘better part of sitting at his feet’ but note the gentle, loving next comment of the Pope to his listeners, ” neglecting necessary rest brings anxiety and stress.” Indeed.
‘Mental and spiritual petrification’ is used by the Pope to indicate the bureaucratic protection of policies, procedures which dangles in front of all who work in helping professions or governmental agencies and when we drive on by the “will work for food” sins: real and present danger to our understandable to need for protection from the raw suffering of others.
The ‘disease of overplanning’, 4th on the list, also strikes home. By nature, I am a planner and adapting to the native spontaneity of my husband continues to be a major challenge of our 17 year marriage. Battling with the interruptions of daily life in ways that are gracious and hospitable remains as daily work. I well recognize why Francis includes this as a disease: My ‘schedule’ can inhibit the action of the Holy Spirit and so compromise the goal I am working to achieve.
Fifth in this list is one the Pope calls ‘bad coordination’, team spirit thus producing an orchestra producing “undisciplined noise.” I am reminded here of the lessons that can be learned from the game. On the eve of the playoffs, Tom Brady’s decision to restructure his contract to free up 24 million for the team has been the talk of the sports media: Effectively, Brady has given back his money to the team.
To describe the disease of those of us who prefer our own reified and uncompromising views of the Church and to the Gospel, Francis applies the graphic expression of ‘Spiritual Alzheimers’.
The disease of ‘rivalry and vainglory’ comes 7th in this list of universal habits, behaviors and attitudes. Who of us has not been trapped by a title, manner of dress or size of income into believing that the air we breathe is rarified?
‘Existential schizophrenia’ is the weighty phrase the Pope applies to hypocrites- those of us who say one thing and do another. Is any of us immune?
‘Watch out for the terrorism of gossip’ has been one of the more widely quoted of the list of 15, most likely due to the intentionality of the phrase: We don’t see terrorism used as a noun to describe what is often viewed as ‘normal human behavior’ but only a few seconds of thought will reveal powerfully that in no way is this an overstatement.
‘Deifying the leaders’ is, in all too many organizations and institutions , expected behavior. Disagreeing and whistle blowing employees make headlines when the greed of the company becomes overwhelming and justifies all manner of immoral acts.
‘Indifference to others’, 11th in this seemingly endless list of my actions or behaviors which I’d prefer not to dwell on is a constant. Living in a country of inestimable blessings and a life of mostly personal financial prosperity, my indifference to the plight of the suffering of most of this world is yes a sin I must own.
‘The Funeral Face’ as a disease makes me laugh but I recognize it- so do you.
‘Hoarding’ as a disease is aimed at that small part of the world, mine. Because most of the now eight billion have nothing at all to hoard
Cliques- those ‘closed circles’ which begin with the best of intentions but in its closed nature becomes a cancer is a goal displacement each of is familiar with- we know we are aiming for Christ but on the journey we get persuaded that our way is the only way.
Finally we come to the last of this painful list of excess, habits and behaviors familiar to each of us: ‘Exhibitionism and Worldly Profit’. I find it interesting that this is the final of the 15 spiritual diseases; one would assume it to be the first. We know it well.

Thankfully, not each of the 15 on this list is a disease that I currently battle. But I know all too well that even those now dormant can raise their head given even a small change in my world; therefore this list serves well as a template for Resolutions for this burgeoning new year; yes a blueprint for examination of conscience but more a guide to apply as the memory of Christmas fades; as the creche absent the altars, as my Martha personality takes over. None of these is eradicated with ease.

While back in Nevada for Christmas Eve Mass, Fr. Paul recited this poem I had forgotten to end his homily; in hopes that the words can rekindle the meaning of this season of miracles for longer than a few more days, here are these splendid words once again.

The poem was written by Ian Oliver, Minister at Yale University Church:

On that holy night

Somehow

it happened:

God took a handful of humanity;

Proud, petulant, passionate;

And a handful of divinity:

Undivided, inexpressible, incomprehensible:

And enclosed them in one small body.

Somehow the all too human

Touched the Divine

And was not vaporized.