Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from you.”

(For my readers, both those of Catholic background and those not, a bit on Pope Francis. In quoting him so often I am not trying to hoist the Papacy – ‘popery’ – on anyone. But Francis has been such a refreshing departure from the last popes, that I think what he says is encouraging to many. He’s down-to-earth, always hopeful and accepting of the fact that human life and human relations are most often simply messy.)

For instance: His ‘document’ called The Joy of Love, mostly on love in relationships. It deserves to be made known to many who do not come in contact with it. (For more: Google Amoris Laetitia.) (Suggest it to your book club.) He says such things as:

"We (Pope, bishop, priests) have been called to form consciences, not to replace them."

"We (Church authorities) ... find it hard to make room for the consciences of the faithful, who ... are capable of carrying out their own discernment in complex situations."

"It ... can no longer simply be said that all those in any 'irregular' situation are living in mortal sin and are deprived of sanctifying grace." (Irregular -- not in accord with Church law.)

"By thinking that everything is black and white, we sometimes close off the way of grace and of growth, and discourage paths of sanctification which give glory to God."

"Many people feel that the church's message on marriage and the family does not clearly reflect the preaching and attitudes of Jesus, who set forth a demanding ideal yet never failed to show compassion and closeness to the frailty of individuals."

"The divorced who have entered a new union, for example, can find themselves in a variety of situations, which should not be pigeonholed or fit into overly rigid classifications leaving no room for a suitable personal and pastoral discernment."

"Conscience can do more than recognize that a given situation does not correspond objectively to the overall demands of the Gospel. It can also recognize with sincerity and honesty what for now is the most generous response which can be given to God, and come to see with a certain moral security that it is what God himself is asking amid the concrete complexity of one's limits, while yet not fully the objective ideal."

"Decisions involving responsible parenthood presuppose the formation of conscience.... There each one is alone with God, whose voice echoes in the depths of the heart."

"The Lord's presence dwells in real and concrete families, with all their daily troubles and struggles, joys and hopes."

Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”

Reply to Fr. Don at: DTalafous@csbsju.edu

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