Today's Thoughts...

Today’s Thoughts: As I ponder today’s Gospel (Luke 14: 1-6) I cannot help but think about all the articles, comments, reflections and commentaries that I have heard and read over the last four years concerning the Synod of the Family and Pope Francis’ “Amoris Laetitia,” Latin for “The Joy of Love” even recent ones. Many of the comments concerned the doctrine and laws of the Church and people’s concerns as to whether things would change or not. There are fights over words and translations. There are comments, articles and reflections from the proverbial right and left, conservative and liberal, traditionalists and progressives. There is talk about remaining true to dogma, doctrine and law. There is talk about mercy, forgiveness and compassion.
                                                                                                         
If we listen to the Gospel today Jesus is confronted in his day with perhaps the same issues that Pope Francis is confronted with today. The religious leadership of Jesus’ time is concerned about the law. You do not eat with tax collectors and sinners and you do not heal on the Sabbath! Jesus meanwhile is concerned about the person in front of him, a man struggling and while the law says, “no healing today,” Jesus responds with mercy and compassion.
 
I don’t know what will happen with “Amoris Laetitia.” I don’t know what will happen with the rest of Pope Francis’ journey as pope but what I take way from today’s Gospel is the hope that God will bless Pope Francis with the strength and courage to always see the person, the people, in need and respond to them out of mercy, compassion, forgiveness and love and help and teach us to do the same.
 
Yes, I know that laws, doctrines and dogmas are important but if I read the Gospel right today, when needed mercy, compassion, forgiveness and love always trumps law, doctrine and dogma! (Sorry for using the word trumps!)
 
Have a great Friday everyone!