Matthew Crawley became heir to Downton Abbey and the its title quite suddenly and unexpectedly when the former heir died on the Titanic.
Crawley, a country lawyer by trade, had never known the kind of life lived at Downton Abbey. On the outside it seemed like a life of pointless privilege and unnecessary trappings.
When he first arrived, Matthew refused to let anybody help him do in anything. He had no use for the maids, the footmen, but he especially eschewed his valet. When his valet tried to dress him, Matthew wouldn’t allow it. When the valet tried to offer assistance in picking out a pair of cuff-links, Matthew dismissed the notion and his valet as silly. The valet felt useless and the pain of such dismissal was obvious on his face.
Matthew was simpler and he was proud of that simplicity. He had never needed anyone to help him dress before and he didn’t see why he would need one now. And the clothing, ugh, the clothing. Matthew much preferred his plain ol’ suit to tuxedos and tails. His initial instinct was that all these accoutrements and formality was mere flash and frippery and he would quickly dispense with it all.
Yet, Lord Grantham counseled him that while all this grand tradition might seem purposeless, it was not. He explained to Matthew that these traditions meant something, not only to the people blandished upon, but to the people who provided the service and to others as well. Lord Grantham explained to Matthew that when he dismissed it all as useless, he was dismissing the value of lives and livelihoods spent learning the craft and the legitimate pride taken in hard work and diligence. He suggested that the service of the servants served not only their masters.
Over time, Matthew began to realize that their was some truth in Lord Grantham’s words and being a kind and considerate man, he pondered it. Perhaps his insistence on simplicity was just another form of pride? Perhaps in accepting his new role, the truly humble thing to do was forgo his preference for simplicity, self-reliance, and plainness? In accepting his new role, he had a responsibility to others for whom these things meant a great deal.
And so, in an act of humility and kindness, Matthew asked his valet to help him dress and said, “Would you be so kind as to pick me out a pair of cuff-links.” The valet smiled from ear to ear. Good Matthew had never been so humble and so self-effacing as when he accepted the assistance and adornments expected of his new role.
Matthew learned that simplicity is not always humility and pomp not always pride.
As the coming weeks and months unfold, we would all do well keep this lesson in mind.
March 17, 2013 at 8:42 pm
I think, in time anyways, we will see this with Francis. Even Benedict needed adjusting, albeit on a smaller scale. At first he didn't let people kiss his ring, and did not want to wear white in private.
March 17, 2013 at 8:51 pm
What an excellent post!
March 17, 2013 at 9:10 pm
Yes!!
Makes me want to watch the show.
March 17, 2013 at 9:20 pm
I was wondering how long it would take for the parallel to be drawn with that memorable 'Matthew' episode, so beautifully and touchingly written by Ld Fellowes – and you have put it perfectly.
March 17, 2013 at 9:25 pm
Thank you for the post, watching the show I felt the same. I hope that the Holy Father will realize this soon.
March 17, 2013 at 9:59 pm
Very nice and tasteful way to put it. Thank you.
March 17, 2013 at 10:03 pm
Nice Post, Patrick. I especially appreciated it because I do love simplicity and your post made me appreciate the other point of view. However, would you also accept that those of us who are naturally drawn to simplicity of worship really do see the beauty of it and are not being prideful or iconoclastic? Is there room for everyone?
March 17, 2013 at 10:05 pm
Martin
Absolutely, it is not and either or.
March 17, 2013 at 10:14 pm
The producer, Julian Fellowes (I may have the spelling wrong), is a Catholic, and it shows in his generosity of spirit — in DOWNTON ABBEY everyone makes mistakes, sometimes terrible ones, but Mr. Fellowes' thesis is that all people are worthy of salvation as children of God. There is not a single character who is not shown sympathetically.
Martin, I submit that a liturgy can never be simple — if the organ is silenced, then banjos and tambourines are sure to make their unhappy presence known. To suppress a historical usage is to invite a sugary Hallmark-ness in to fill the vacuum. If the celebrant does not humble himself in wearing the proper vestments, he or his successor might show up in clown suits. If we cannot have the Latin, we might have to suffer aw-shucks asides in English.
March 17, 2013 at 10:51 pm
Just SO well done. Thank you.
March 17, 2013 at 10:57 pm
POPE BASHER!!! 😉
"Perhaps…the truly humble thing to do was forgo his preference for simplicity…he had a responsibility to others for whom these things meant a great deal."
Wow. The profundity.
Matt, thank you. Time for great Penance.
March 17, 2013 at 11:13 pm
There is a nobility to simplicity. Simplicity is not the trivializing of liturgy nor the lessening of it. For example, chant is simple musically, but its simplicity is awe striking in beauty. Personal simplicity of life (not to be confused by being simple-minded) has been the hallmark of the saints from Bl. Theresa of Calcutta to St. John Vianney to Christ himself. WE make the mistake of associating grandiosity with traditional ways and simplicity with progressive ways; both are wild over-simplifications. I happen to believe that clerics living like aristocracy is repugnant and against Canon Law which tells us we should embrace simplicity of life as a matter of personal holiness. One need not become a beggar (though there is nothing wrong with that as is seen by the mendicant orders), but simplicity of life is a life of detachment from the goods of this world and wholly appropriate to the clerical state.
March 17, 2013 at 11:29 pm
The humility of the mendicant orders is not the same as the monastic. Our 2 most recent popes have chosen their names in direct relation to the 2 most prominent men associated with these distinct ways of living out the Christian life. And while, yes, both are the pope which does change things – for both St. Francis and St. Benedict could not have been pope and the saint that they were – the modeling of life upon these great giants of the faith should reflect different aspects of our shared Faith. Beauty can be found in both – but certainly it is more palpabile with Benedict. Humility can be found in both, but certainly easier with Francis. May God help us to see the connection between these paths which lead to Him.
March 17, 2013 at 11:42 pm
This metaphor is not only brilliant but very moving. I can savor this and share it.
March 18, 2013 at 12:09 am
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March 18, 2013 at 12:12 am
Shaw
It presupposes no such thing. Why do people insist on reading more into things than are there?
This is a narrow point to show one single example in which insistence upon simplicity was not humility. That is all. Don't complicate it.
March 18, 2013 at 12:34 am
Amen amen. My sentiments exactly.I am glad you pu it to words God bless!
March 18, 2013 at 12:35 am
Amen amen. My sentiments exactly.I am glad you pu it to words God bless!
March 18, 2013 at 1:04 am
very nice. thank you.
March 18, 2013 at 1:14 am
Well put. But seriously, he'd better not die in a car accident!!!