This is probably the most famous quote of Pope Francis that everyone remembers. It was said during a press conference on a return flight from Brazil when he answered journalists discussing the issue of gays in the church.
It startled everyone – “no condemnation but compassion”. The pope however said nothing different from what Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery “Where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?” “No one, sir,” she answered. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again.” (John 8:10-11).
In this past year, I have written articles under the column “I am on my way” to the Father, in the hope of taking away fear of death and replacing it with a desire for the embrace with which the prodigal son was welcomed by the Father. The fear, I believe, of not being able to live a life without sin often hinders us to look forward to the moment when we will meet God.
Catechesis, religious teaching and homilies often talk about one side of Christian life, namely that we are called to holiness and perfection as the goal we have to achieve here and now. It is rarely taught as a gift we will receive after we have died at our resurrection.
The other side concerns our life here and now, the sinful reality which St Paul talks about: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing” (Romans 7:15-19).
How, in this situation, do I live a worthy life as a Christian? It is again in the teaching of St Paul that I find the answer: “Three times I sought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)
Here I find comfort as a sinner, how to live my Christian vocation: to make the best of life, “with sin as a handicap” rather than getting rid of the handicap.
Our desire for holiness and perfection itself makes us worthy of God’s mercy and grace. Psalm 85:10 expresses it thus: “Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.”
A recent debate about whether someone can receive Holy Communion if he or she supports a party in favour of abortion, euthanasia – contrary to the moral teaching of the Church which clearly states these to be serious sins and evils.
In today’s pluralistic society the right- and wrongness of many moral issues have become commonplace. Almost everything one used to believe is challenged, changed and even ridiculed. Traditional morality is no longer adhered to.
In such a situation, the voice of the Church needs to be heard and defended. The Church doctrine is a “deposit” of the faith – a treasure of proven wisdom carefully gathered over the centuries for the benefit and good of mankind. From our Catholic perspective, this cannot be discarded willy nilly.
The current debate, therefore, is not about changing Church doctrine, but about what a Catholic should do in “a world which loves darkness rather than light” (John 3:19).
Catholics must stand up for the faith and truth of the Church, but they should remember the Lord’ words: “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). We are sent into the world to evangelize the world.
How we do this is each one’s responsibility for which one is answerable to God alone. This is what Pope Francis in imitation of Jesus said: “Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1-2).
Who is worthy to receive Communion? No one is worthy except our Mother Mary who is without sin. All others, even the most devout, can only live by faith in God’s grace, which is getting what we do not deserve, and mercy which is not getting what we deserve.
