RBWords - Volume 28 - Number 10: October 2015
Something to Think About
RBWORDS - VOLUME 28 - NUMBER 10 - OCTOBER 2015
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT -
The Synod of Bishops on the subject of the family is now over. There are many voices claiming to know what the synod was all about. Some of them are bishops. Some are media pundits. Some are theologians. They don't all say the same thing. Some of them spend all kinds of time telling folks what the synod did NOT say. I thought it would be helpful just to let Pope Francis tell us what the synod was about. He's the one with the ultimate voice. The words below come from his closing remarks at the end of the Synod. To them I can only say:AMEN
It was about urging everyone to appreciate the importance of the institution of the family and of marriage between a man and a woman, based on unity and indissolubility, and valuing it as the fundamental basis of society and human life.
It was about listening to and making heard the voices of the families and the Church’s pastors, who came to Rome bearing on their shoulders the burdens and the hopes, the riches and the challenges of families throughout the world.
It was about showing the vitality of the Catholic Church, which is not afraid to stir dulled consciences or to soil her hands with lively and frank discussions about the family.
It was about trying to view and interpret realities, today’s realities, through God’s eyes, so as to kindle the flame of faith and enlighten people’s hearts in times marked by discouragement, social, economic and moral crisis, and growing pessimism.
It was about bearing witness to everyone that, for the Church, the Gospel continues to be a vital source of eternal newness, against all those who would “indoctrinate” it in dead stones to be hurled at others.
It was also about laying closed hearts, which bare the closed hearts which frequently hide even behind the Church’s teachings or good intentions, in order to sit in the chair of Moses and judge, sometimes with superiority and superficiality, difficult cases and wounded families.
It was about making clear that the Church is a Church of the poor in spirit and of sinners seeking forgiveness, not simply of the righteous and the holy, but rather of those who are righteous and holy precisely when they feel themselves poor sinners.
IT'S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
It Has Been Said
"The Church is called to be the house of the Father, with doors always wide open. One concrete sign of such openness is that our church doors should always be open, so that if someone, moved by the Spirit, comes there looking for God, he or she will not find a closed door. There are other doors that should not be closed either. Everyone can share in some way in the life of the Church; everyone can be part of the community, nor should the doors of the sacraments be closed for simply any reason."
Pope Francis, THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL #47
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