Recently Pope Francis published his teachings (Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation), which he titled Amoris Laetita (The Joy of Love). This document is the culmination of the Synod of the Family, that was held over two sessions in 2014 and 2015. Through the document Pope Francis offers the world his instruction on church teaching, love and the family. Whilst there are no radical changes to doctrine or Canon Law, there is a very clear undercurrent of compassion and concern for families in the turbulence of the modern world. He repeatedly demonstrates that the church, under his guidance, is aware of the complexities of the world today, the pressure society places upon individuals and the delicate nature of sustaining a supportive and nurturing family environment.
The Synod has discerned that there is 'no stereo-type of the ideal family, but rather a challenging mosaic made up of many different realities, with all their joys, hopes and problems'. Families today are diverse and in turn require the fullness of compassion in pastoral care. As families are the foundational unit of the church, they, the ‘domestic church’ need support and guidance so that they are fruitful and hold fast in the face of the daily societal pressures.
Pope Francis is especially concerned for families who are under stress due to employment, financial and housing pressures. Without access to meaningful and adequate employment there is no foundation on which a family may develop. To meet the needs of the individuals within the family there needs to be an adequate amount of finances available. In conjunction with this, families need a home. Without access to affordable, secure and hygienic housing a family cannot function. In an environment where job security and the exponential rise in housing pricing, families are under further stresses that are not supportive of a stable family unit. We need to be especially mindful of this on an individual level and seek solutions to this developing issue by giving our time to local charities and contacting our representatives at a government level, so that legislation is introduced to limit these issues.
The exhortation reinforces the teaching of the sanctity of life. Pope Francis repeatedly speaks of the beauty of families, in which life is protected at all stages. He is especially aware of those families who care for those with special needs, the sick and the elderly. In caring for family members who cannot care for themselves, a decision is made to love completely that person. This decision is undertaking knowing that sacrifice is required and the cost personally is high. Often opportunities are denied those who make this decision, employment and career aspirations are damaged or cast aside, and personal time and external interests are also limited. Such sacrifice illustrates for us the true love of God, who knows how deeply this loss affects the individual and the family as a whole. We are reminded to offer our support to those in these situations, as a community we are encouraged to seek solutions that offer encouragement and love as we support those who protect and nurture life for us as a society.
Pope Francis also offers advice to the family in stating that families need time and are required to listen to be successful. Further he suggests that decisions should not be made in haste, even though our world offers us immediate access and gratification in all aspects of our lives. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the church, families have the ability to overcome all obstacles.
He suggests that we need to ‘Take time, quality time. This means being ready to listen patiently and attentively to everything the other person wants to say. It requires the self-discipline of not speaking until the time is right. Instead of offering an opinion or advice, we need to be sure that we have heard everything the other person has to say. This means cultivating an interior silence that makes it possible to listen... Do not be rushed, put aside all of your own needs and worries, and make space. Often the other person does not need a solution to his or her problems, but simply to be heard, to feel that someone has acknowledge their pain, their disappointment, their fear, their anger, their hopes and their dreams’.
I believe the most beautiful message Pope Francis offers is an insight into the beauty of true love that sacramental marriage offers and how such love transcends the world in which we live. He says, ‘In the course of every marriage physical appearances change, but this hardly means that love and attraction need fade. We love the other person for who they are, not simply for their body. Although the body ages, it still expresses that personal identity that first won our heart. Even if others can no longer see the beauty of that identity, a spouse continues to see it with the eyes of love and so his or her affection does not diminish. He or she reaffirms the decision to belong to the other and expresses that choice in faithful and loving closeness. The nobility of this decision, by its intensity and depth, gives rise to a new kind of emotion’.
Brendan Nicholls is the liturgy coordinator at St Ignatius' College, Geelong, VIC.
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