POPE Francis has declared a Jubilee
of Mercy. One of its
purposes is to see how we can extend divine mercy to all. The
presumption is that Christ died for all, and thus, has given mercy and
forgiveness to all.
This universal mercy can easily be gleaned when we
consider one of Christ’s last words before dying: “Father, forgive
them for they know not what they do.” Also, we can see the
gratuitousness of his mercy when he readily but implicitly forgave the
repentant thief and told him that he would be with Christ in paradise.
Many other instances in the gospel indicate the readiness
and even the delight of God to extend mercy to people. The story of
the prodigal son is one. Also that of the woman caught in adultery.
Christ also told Peter to forgive not only 7 times, but 70 times 7.
The Jubilee of Mercy is also a time to see if there are
certain ways in the current Church laws and practice that need to be
improved, refined or modified to accommodate the ever growing need for
divine mercy. So far, the Pope already simplified the annulment
process and has given priests during the Jubilee the authority to lift
excommunication cases.
This intention has, of course, stirred a lot of people.
Even a few ecclesiastics have expressed concern. While many of those I
asked want to downplay this issue, it cannot be denied that this issue
is burning like anything. A specific case is that of the divorced and
remarried who wish to receive Communion.
The crux of the matter is how and where to determine the
boundary between mercy and justice, charity and truth, so that these
two can be put together without compromising one or the other.
There had been claims that the Pope is playing with fire
by appearing to entertain this issue. These fears have been reinforced
when the Pope at the end of the recent Synod on the Family said:
“The Synod experience also made us better realize that the
true defenders of doctrine are not those who uphold its letter, but
its spirit; not ideas but people; not formulae but the gratuitousness
of God’s love and forgiveness.”
Those words somehow give one the impression of where the
Pope’s mind drifts. I, for one, felt uncomfortable at the insinuation
that there is conflict between the letter of the Church law and the
true spirit of Christ, between ideas and persons, between formulae and
the gratuitousness of God’s love and forgiveness, but without giving
any idea of how these conflicts can be resolved.
But before we can go further into some fearful
speculation, the Pope qualified these words by saying: “This is in no
way to detract from the importance of formulae, laws and divine
commandments, but rather to exalt the greatness of the true God, who
does not treat us according to our merits or even according to our
works but solely according to the boundless generosity of his Mercy.”
I suppose the Pope is trying, with the help of the
bishops, to find ways of how to extend the frontiers of divine mercy
that is so much needed these days, given the many difficult
situations.
Just the same, I was reassured when at an address recently
about priestly mission and formation, he said the following that
somehow shows there are boundaries between mercy and justice, charity
and truth. The words may not be very direct and explicit, but the
substance can easily be detected. These are the words:
“Closeness, depths of mercy, loving look: to make one
experience the beauty of a life lived according to the Gospel and the
love of God that makes itself concrete also through His ministers…
“Ways can always be found to give absolution. Receive
well. However, sometimes one cannot absolve. There are priests who
say, ‘No, I cannot absolve you of this, go away.’ This is not the way.
“’If you cannot give absolution, explain and say, ‘God
loves you so much, God wishes you well. There are so many ways to come
to God. I cannot give you absolution. I’ll give you a blessing. But
come back, always come back here; every time you come back, I will
give you a blessing as a sign that God loves you.’
“And that man or woman goes away full of joy because
he/she has found the icon of the Father, who never rejects; in one way
or another He has embraced him/her.’”
Reassuring words, even as we continue, as we ought, to
explore the mysterious ways of God’s mercy together with Pope Francis!
purposes is to see how we can extend divine mercy to all. The
presumption is that Christ died for all, and thus, has given mercy and
forgiveness to all.
This universal mercy can easily be gleaned when we
consider one of Christ’s last words before dying: “Father, forgive
them for they know not what they do.” Also, we can see the
gratuitousness of his mercy when he readily but implicitly forgave the
repentant thief and told him that he would be with Christ in paradise.
Many other instances in the gospel indicate the readiness
and even the delight of God to extend mercy to people. The story of
the prodigal son is one. Also that of the woman caught in adultery.
Christ also told Peter to forgive not only 7 times, but 70 times 7.
The Jubilee of Mercy is also a time to see if there are
certain ways in the current Church laws and practice that need to be
improved, refined or modified to accommodate the ever growing need for
divine mercy. So far, the Pope already simplified the annulment
process and has given priests during the Jubilee the authority to lift
excommunication cases.
This intention has, of course, stirred a lot of people.
Even a few ecclesiastics have expressed concern. While many of those I
asked want to downplay this issue, it cannot be denied that this issue
is burning like anything. A specific case is that of the divorced and
remarried who wish to receive Communion.
The crux of the matter is how and where to determine the
boundary between mercy and justice, charity and truth, so that these
two can be put together without compromising one or the other.
There had been claims that the Pope is playing with fire
by appearing to entertain this issue. These fears have been reinforced
when the Pope at the end of the recent Synod on the Family said:
“The Synod experience also made us better realize that the
true defenders of doctrine are not those who uphold its letter, but
its spirit; not ideas but people; not formulae but the gratuitousness
of God’s love and forgiveness.”
Those words somehow give one the impression of where the
Pope’s mind drifts. I, for one, felt uncomfortable at the insinuation
that there is conflict between the letter of the Church law and the
true spirit of Christ, between ideas and persons, between formulae and
the gratuitousness of God’s love and forgiveness, but without giving
any idea of how these conflicts can be resolved.
But before we can go further into some fearful
speculation, the Pope qualified these words by saying: “This is in no
way to detract from the importance of formulae, laws and divine
commandments, but rather to exalt the greatness of the true God, who
does not treat us according to our merits or even according to our
works but solely according to the boundless generosity of his Mercy.”
I suppose the Pope is trying, with the help of the
bishops, to find ways of how to extend the frontiers of divine mercy
that is so much needed these days, given the many difficult
situations.
Just the same, I was reassured when at an address recently
about priestly mission and formation, he said the following that
somehow shows there are boundaries between mercy and justice, charity
and truth. The words may not be very direct and explicit, but the
substance can easily be detected. These are the words:
“Closeness, depths of mercy, loving look: to make one
experience the beauty of a life lived according to the Gospel and the
love of God that makes itself concrete also through His ministers…
“Ways can always be found to give absolution. Receive
well. However, sometimes one cannot absolve. There are priests who
say, ‘No, I cannot absolve you of this, go away.’ This is not the way.
“’If you cannot give absolution, explain and say, ‘God
loves you so much, God wishes you well. There are so many ways to come
to God. I cannot give you absolution. I’ll give you a blessing. But
come back, always come back here; every time you come back, I will
give you a blessing as a sign that God loves you.’
“And that man or woman goes away full of joy because
he/she has found the icon of the Father, who never rejects; in one way
or another He has embraced him/her.’”
Reassuring words, even as we continue, as we ought, to
explore the mysterious ways of God’s mercy together with Pope Francis!
No comments:
Post a Comment