Marriage and the family are the fundamental building blocks of society and the garden by which human life and love blossoms forth. It is also the social arena where in recent times, the ongoing wrestle for influence and the control of culture has most often taken place and frequently to the detriment of marriage, family and human life.
Building a culture where marriage and family are cherished and respected and where the inherent dignity of every human person is respected and protected from conception to natural death, takes commitment, courage and the gift of our time. To jump headlong into the cultural combat zone and shout the loudest about what is true and right doesn’t always work. Conversion is always about the ‘heart’ and the principle always remains true that it is my heart that needs conversion the most. It is also important to remember that God loves every single person with the same intensity and no matter where they sit in their relationship with him, he loves them as beloved children and with an infinite love.
So what to do?
We start with the axiom that Pope Francis has mentioned now on a number of occasions; Time is greater than space (c.f. Amoris Laetitia 3 and Evangelii Gaudium 222). Pope Francis puts this forward as a “first principle for progress in building a people” i.e. in building a culture. We do well to ponder his explanation of this principle:
“This principle enables us to work slowly but surely, without being obsessed with immediate results. It helps us patiently to endure difficult and adverse situations or inevitable changes in our plans. It invites us to accept the tension between fullness and limitation and to give a priority to time. What we need, then, is to give priority to actions which generate new processes in society and engage other persons and groups who can develop them to the point where they bear fruit in significant historical events. Without anxiety, but with clear convictions and tenacity.”
Not to be impulsive but to work strategically in a well formed and thought out manner is at the heart of Pope Francis’ thought. We need to accept that it is God’s mission and to know that it is only through an intentional union with him that anything can be achieved. Our position is to actively seek to know his will for our lives, to open our hearts and minds to his will, and then to say yes and act in accordance with his will. And not to act alone! This is essential!
Local Action
Pope Francis states this directly when he “wonders if there are people in today’s world who are really concerned about generating processes of people-building?” (Evangelii Gaudium 224) Thankfully we can certainly answer in the affirmative here and where as a Diocese, we have many groups and organisations in our locale who are committed to supporting married couples and families along with those who are on the front foot in forming a new generation of voices who are energetic, youthful and articulate in the defence of the most vulnerable members of our society.
To say “yes” to the Lord’s call in this critical area and to participate actively in support of Life, Marriage and Family, please consider contacting the following groups and organisations and asking today how you might be able to help:
LIFE ISSUES – Resources (Abortion, Cloning, Euthanasia, IVF/Fertility, Gender Dysphoria)