At church this past Sunday, our pastor talked about someone criticizing the new pope. They said something to the effect of "the new pope is too Catholic." Our pastor said how ironic this was; shouldn't the pope be Catholic?!
It really made me think about values. So many of us want everyone around us to think the same way we do. If we feel something is right or wrong, everyone else should think that same way. The person who made the statement quoted above obviously feels that way. Why should things like abortion be wrong? Shouldn't things change as the world changes? Maybe those old fashioned ideas worked well at one time, but that was prior to 2013.
There is also the other extreme where we don't expect others to think as we do, but we allow any and every opinion as being correct for that person in that situation. Phrases like "Don't be so closed minded..." and "everyone is doing it" are the justifications.
As I get older, one thing I really see is that peoples' values definitely change. I grew up in the seventies when having casual sex was considered normal. My children are growing up in a society that looks at living together as the norm. Values can change during each of our life stages. Using our value system as a basis of living our life is just so disconcerting and shaky. I find no comfort whatsoever in making decisions solely based on what I feel at the moment. I find that my thoughts on life's decisions change. Can right and wrong truly change?
I personally have found fulfillment and huge relief in knowing that in my short life, I don't have to decide what is right and what is wrong. That is clearly laid out for me. It is such a rock and place of contentment.
So, yes, the pope may be too Catholic. Good for him. I hope that I can always be too dependent on God and not myself for life's answers. Blessings...
No comments:
Post a Comment