From the Vatican

 Yesterday we visited the Vatican.  I remember from 20+ years ago being impressed with the heat, the grandeur, and the reverence we felt.  This time around, we saw the same scenery from a different perspective. A few years ago, Tony did his doctoral study, which included a section on the Protestant Reformation, so we thought it would be great to take part in a “Reformation Tour” through Germany, with a follow-up visit to Rome.

What a difference this time around! There had to be at least 50,000 people lined up at the entrance to the Vatican.  The pope had just that morning suggested to a live audience, that he was thinking of retiring. As a Protestant, I didn’t know popes had that option, but the public turned out in droves to hear him speak that afternoon, as we were making our way through his place that morning. Turns out, he just said he was still “thinking about it”.

Anyway, we could barely see the Vatican for the people and finally had to opt for a tour. Miraculously, the price rose from the first idea we had about it to the moment we actually laid the money down, but we wouldn’t have gotten close to the doorknob otherwise.

I confess I was a little disappointed inside Peter’s Basilica to see how lax the rules had become about dress codes, etc. Instead of feeling like I was in a place of worship, it was more like the mosh pit at a rock concert.

Our tour guide was wonderful, though. He’s a dedicated Catholic but still quoted Martin Luther several times, including the issue around which the reformation movement began, “Sola fide! Faith alone! Salvation comes from faith alone in Jesus Christ and what He’s done for us". We agreed completely with him and didn’t mention that the entire cathedral was built entirely from the sale of indulgences, ie “Get out of Hell Free” tickets. As I mentioned, I remembered the heat before and it again was a sweltering day, even though it was October.

And then there was the thought-provoking but I want to leave you with that.  I hadn't noticed it before when we visited, but the guide pointed out that many of the paintings, even in the Sistine Chapel, had 'extra' people in them, usually at the bottom foregrounds.  They were obviously dressed in the middle-aged clothing of the 1500s, completely out of the context of the picture. The Last Supper had all the constituents, including 4 men all dressed up and standing near the table where Jesus sat with His disciples. Who are they? you ask. Turns out they were the patrons who commissioned the painting.

 What do you think Jesus would think of all of this??  Isn't man always incredibly vain when it comes to recognition?  

The good news this week is that we are now in possession of new "Emergency Passports" from Australia, enabling us to go home in just a couple of months.

 Hopefully, this blog will be coming to you from the tiny country of San Marino, nestled in the middle of northern Italy.  We'd never heard of it until we met their Ambassador to Japan, a few years ago. He was a strong Christian. Pity I can’t remember his name. Oh well, maybe I’ll see him and give him a wave.  

All the best,

Marsha