Bobblehead Pope Francis

There it was. Someone had told me about it, but to see it right there in front of me as I raced through Philadelphia International Airport well, the desire to buy it overwhelmed me. I am now the proud owner of Bobblehead Pope Francis, the pinnacle of American kitsch, the ultimate expression of the consumer culture the man abhors.

My wife doesn’t understand it, and I’ll grant that I have an off beat sense of humor, (a product of my upbringing in New Jersey I’m sure), so Bobblehead Pope Francis doesn’t sit on the hearth next to the statues of Kwan Yin, the Buddha, and a hand carved cross. OK, so maybe it doesn’t fit in there, but it has a place. For he sits in my office now and with every shake of his head he reminds me that the income equality gap isn’t an abstract problem, it impacts real people. It keeps real people from becoming what God is calling them to become. It reminds me that refugees have a face, have hopes, dreams and fears just like me. Somehow he inspires the imagination so I can see in my mind’s eye, how my environmental footprint will impact real people in two, and three and four generations, and then makes me see the consequences we are reaping right now. Somehow if the man said, “All lives matter,” we would know he wasn’t belittling the horrifying experience of African Americans in a still racist society. I couldn’t do that.

The man has a huge, unimaginable job, and I’m sure his handlers work very hard to craft his image. I’m certain that if we got close enough we’d see his rough edges. But then the genuine humility would show up, the heart that says, “Who am I to judge?” In the midst of all that he transcends the ludicrous image of this bobblehead. Now I ask you, how many public figures can do that? How about a John Boehner bobblehead? Ridiculous. A Trump Bobblehead? Well OK, I guess there’s not much difference between that and the real thing. Hillary Bobblehead (currently out of stock at bobbleheads.com)? I like her; I really do, but no, I don’t think she could transcend a rendering of her blond locks in bobblehead form. I couldn’t either; it would just remind people of the many foolish things I’ve done, (like buying a Bobblehead Pope Francis). That leaves only Pope Francis (and maybe Albert Einstein).

So there he sits in my office with the Tennent Bible, a piece of scrimshaw that’s been in the family for four generations, a clock I need to fix, and a pyramid. It’s like he’s reminding me to look inside and find the Spirit that grows the heart, and of course, he’s also giving me a smile.

So if you’re from New Jersey (and thus have an off beat sense of humor), or are just curious, have a look, click on the video clip and see what it inspires in you.

Grace and peace,

Sam Alexander