Much ink has been spilled over Pope Francis’ recent remarks regarding the size of Catholic families. The pope made headlines by saying Catholics do not need to breed like rabbits.
His comments breathed a sigh of relief among many within the Catholic Church. But for those in more conservative wing of the faith, the remark stung a bit.
Look, I am going to pass on taking a critical shot at the pope. I am just choosing to add this to his growing list of controversial and questionable remarks. Such comments he often makes on his long flights, with journalists riding along.
Instead, I want to offer solace to those Catholics who may have been hurt by the pope’s remarks.
As the married, lay faithful, we have no control over what the clergy says or does. They are all made of the same material we are, namely fallen human nature. Thus, we need not let matters like this affect us as much as they often do.
JUST DO YOUR DUTY
We all have responsibilities entrusted to us by God respective to our states in life.
For the married Catholic couples, this means a certain divine authority has been entrusted to us for domestic living. We each have an obligation to try to help guide our spouse to Heaven. That’s our primary duty. Next, if God has blessed us with any children, then we must try to get them to the beatific vision, as well.
As a Catholic parent trying to do your best, it would be a comfort to know the pastors have not forgotten the daily struggles of their sheep.
As a married Catholic, when we each stand before God, we will not be held responsible for the actions or inactions of our ordained counterparts. Rather, God will judge us, in part, based on how well we led our families to Him.
YES, YOUR CROSSES ARE REAL
This means we need to take up our crosses each and every day. They will take on different forms for each one of us.
Perhaps you battle an illness that needs daily management. Or, your spouse might be trying to no avail to find employment. You might be facing tremendous challenges in getting one of your children to find an ounce of motivation to complete his schoolwork each day. Your budget might be stretched to where saving a whole 50 cents on a box of cereal would make your day.
As a Catholic parent trying to do your best, it would be a comfort to know the pastors have not forgotten the daily struggles of their sheep.
But let us do each other a favor and stop each other from getting too high or too low over headlines from Vatican officials. This makes us only more upset the more we complain.
Instead, let me encourage you to say some extra prayers for our Holy Father and all the clergy. Maybe offer some small act of mortification each day for them.
So long as you are open to doing God’s will, no matter what it is, you’re where you belong. As a married, lay Catholic, your duties are to your state in life as a spouse and as a parent.
Now, set your hand to the plow and don’t look back (Luke 9:62).
YOUR TURN
I hope this provided you a smile today.
Do you have something constructive and encouraging to say that you’d like to share below?
Please sound off—but no complaints allowed!
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