RBWords - Volume 27 - Number 2: February 2014
Something to Think About
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Surprising things continue to happen with Pope Francis in charge. One of those surprising things is the questionnaire that was sent out to all the church asking for responses on the subject of family life. The Laity, especially, are not accustomed to being asked their opinion on such things (unfortunately) and this is indeed something new. The questionnaire was published in many diocesan newspapers. Aside from the awkward wording of some of the questions, the subject matter did touch on a wide range of issues, and where the responses have been made public, there is considerable difference of opinion and some divergence from what would be considered official church teaching on marriage, divorce and family planning. One of the more sensitive issues is the denial of communion to those who have remarried after divorce without having received an annulment.
How does the sanctity of marriage, based on Jesus’ own words, stand up under the pressures of a society where civil divorce occurs in almost 50% of marriages? [Civil law is even redefining the legal meaning of the word marriage to include same-sex unions.] Denial of the Eucharist to divorced-and-remarried persons seems a punishment that lasts a lifetime – as if they have committed an unforgiveable sin. The Special Synod of Bishops on the subject of family life will be wrestling with this issue and others this coming Fall. Will there be any surprises? All of us will have to wait and see. IT’S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
It Has Been Said
“Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” Heaven is not a place name. Heaven is wherever God’s will is being done. When, occasionally it is done on earth, then there is heaven. It is the most difficult thing in the world for most of us to give up directing our own story and turn to the Author. This has to be done over and over again every day. Time and again I know exactly how a certain situation should be handled, and in no uncertain terms I tell God how to handle it. Then I stop, stock-still, and (sometimes with reluctance) end by saying, “However, God, do it your way. Not my way, your way. Please.”
From THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER: STORY AS TRUTH by Madeleine L’Engle