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 18, 2013 at 3:30 am
Here is a look at the question from a historical and theological point of view:
http://www.unamsanctamcatholicam.com/social-teaching/moral-issues/93-social-teaching/moral-issues/307-humility-and-station-in-life.html
March 18, 2013 at 4:59 am
I had considered this parallel quite soon after the Conclave, I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking this way. And indeed, noble simplicity!
March 18, 2013 at 8:42 am
Jesus is not physically present among us in a way able to accept the honor of an alabaster jar of costly ointment. Therefore, among the duties of His vicar on Earth is to receive such honors in His stead.
Pope Francis has gained among the ignorant the credibility to demonstrate why the Church doesn't just – as Judas advocated – sell off all its material wealth and hand over the result to The Poor.
March 18, 2013 at 12:30 pm
No joke my husband Tom made the same analogy! Great minds think alike :-)Thanks for sharing this perfect comparision.
March 18, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Years ago I read an article about a very, very wealthy man who brown-bagged it to lunch in his downtown office every day. Instead of being impressed by his frugality or humility, all I could think of were all the working moms waitressing within easy walking distance of his building who could have used a good tip. Not quite as long ago, a co-worker praised a successful business owner, an older gentleman, single, who drove a 20+ year old car and never cashed his paychecks or the dividend checks from his wholly-owned company. "He reminds me of a monk," she gushed, "living so simply." I pointed out that if he had no use for all the profits, his employees could certainly use the additional wages since they were not paid much above the minimum.
These are the examples that came to my mind when I read some of the early reports about our new Holy Father. This is not intended as a criticism of Pope Francis (God bless him), just a presentation of a different point of view. I will have to look into Downton Abbey.
March 18, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Perhaps so. But, at the same time, there does come a time in which traditions and customs have outlived their usefulness and may become obstacles and stumbling blocks. An example might be the use of the papal throne that was carried on the shoulders, or the papal tiara. Someone then has to take the lead in making changes. The key is in how this is done and if it is done with pure intentions.
March 18, 2013 at 1:52 pm
I imagine Downton Abbey has been translated into Spanish and produced either dubbed or with subtitles. Perhaps someone could send a copy of the episode to Pope Francis!
Susan Peterson
March 18, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Thomas Tucker makes a valid point. Alas, the rupture that has occurred in the last decades, in which traditions and customs (including the EF Mass) were thrown out willy-nilly and told to stay out, has not helped.
Matthew Crawley's education in charity is quite instructive for us all.
March 18, 2013 at 2:34 pm
Well said, Patrick. God bless!
March 18, 2013 at 2:48 pm
Thomas Tucker – yes, exactly! I'm getting kind of fed up hearing "but it's much more humble to follow the tradition." It sort of bypasses the whole discussion of how valid or useful the tradition is.
I think Pope Francis has tried to present himself so simply not out of "humility," but out of these very practical and astute consideration that millions of modern people, if they had seen him dressed in red velvet and ermine like royalty at his first being presented to the world, would simply have dismissed him and everything he stood for out of hand, because they would not have been able to associate him at all with the simple rugged life of Jesus and his first followers. All the mockery about the Pope's "rich clothes" and "trappings of power" come from actual people, ignorant people, but still, people with souls to be saved. Choosing simpler dress — that is still instantly recognizable as papal dress — could be a very smart move in winning a hearing for himself.
Keep in mind that Francis' choice of shoulder wear or footwear during his ordinary public appearances has nothing to do with the liturgy as such. The first time he shows up to celebrate Mass in jeans and a sweatshirt, then we can talk.
(BTW, previous popes, Benedict, JPII, JPI all worn a simple mozzetta that was probably silk, or perhaps linen on the balcony; but the garment laid out for Francis as shown in photos was definitely the ermine one. I think perhaps Benedict and others would have thought this excessive as well).
March 18, 2013 at 3:14 pm
Ceremonial traditions are of enduring value. They convey a tangible sign of the awesome importance of the office. They provide the people something to celebrate and rally around. They make it possible for even the simplest among us to rejoice in knowing they are part of something noble, timeless, and grand beyond all human imaginings.
No one criticizes "vain spectacle" when the context is the Super Bowl or a wedding or "Hail to the Chief" or the Tomb of the Unknowns. In all of these, pomp, ceremony, tradition, and even solemnity have their place and are accepted. To find all these qualities repellant only when they are found in Christ's Church is a sign of profound spiritual disorder.
PS: The all-conquering infatuation with the new man's humility has as its nasty subtext that this quality was somehow lacking in our last Holy Father — implying that the works of his papacy deserve to be dismissed as vain and discredited. I sense a whiff of satanic smoke.
Romulus
March 18, 2013 at 3:16 pm
This is really funny, I had this exact same thought just a few days ago! No doubt though like Mr. Crawley, Pope Francis will initiate a simpler way of doing things into the thinking at the Vatican. Not a complete overhaul, but in some noticeable ways I would imagine. No doubt there will be some Dowager Countesses advising against the changes and campaigning for things to adhere to the traditional ways of the MO of the Vatican. Hopefully many non-Catholics have considered the link between these two men too as a sort of stealth evangelization! AMDG!
March 18, 2013 at 3:20 pm
I am grateful and encouraged by the example of Pope Francis, AS WELL as our two most recent popes. Catholics, at least those familiar with the lives of the saints, ought to know that there is no cookie-cutter, one-size version of holiness. It is a beautifully varied thing.
March 18, 2013 at 3:31 pm
I find this a bit ridiculous. I personally have found Pope Francis a breath of fresh air from the recent line of Popes, whom I loved. It's nice to see the Vicar of Christ not rolling around in some of the most expensive things imageable, or having everyone cater to his every need. Indeed, did Christ have everyone do everything for Him? I find this a tad bit offensive. It seems everyone is finding something wrong with Pope Francis. We get enough of it from those outside the Church. Let's not split hairs within. Good grief.
March 18, 2013 at 3:32 pm
Pope Francis is not the one translating his choices as acts of humility…it's the media (secular and Catholic). I think he just has a different personality and style than Benedict, not better or worse.
I've heard Benedict described as an introvert; perhaps rides alone in the papal car helped him to recharge. Francis may be an extrovert for whom riding the bus with others recharges his zeal. Benedict may appreciate form more, while Francis may appreciate function more. Benedict is a theologian, and Francis may be more of a scientist.
And if you want to take your analogy farther…remember that it was Matthew with his new management methods that saved Downton Abbey from bankruptcy and stagnation.
March 18, 2013 at 3:43 pm
If the President of the United States cooked his own meals and did his own laundry, people would say he's not working hard enough at his real job.
Romulus
March 18, 2013 at 3:46 pm
Thank you.
March 18, 2013 at 3:47 pm
Matthew Crawly also pushed the Lord Grantham to not mindlessly adhere to the old ways of managing the estate when they no longer made sense.
Tradition is not dogma, and it is very easy to let the pendulum swing to far either direction.
March 18, 2013 at 4:24 pm
I see, so we have a responsibility — nay, a duty! — to have attention lavished on us, is that it? 😉
Kypapist: unless I was privy to their wills, and knew for a fact that they left it all to the poodle instead of a favorite charity, I personally would rather keep such thoughts to myself.
Romulus: that is something we may never get to find out.
March 18, 2013 at 4:27 pm
Yes.