The English and Welsh Bishops tell us that the Vatican has published Pope Francis’ eagerly-awaited Apostolic Exhortation on the family, drawing together almost three years of consultations with Catholics in countries around the world. The lengthy document, entitled ‘Amoris Laetitia’, or The Joy of Love, affirms the Church’s teaching that stable families are the building blocks of a healthy society and a place where children learn to love, respect and interact with others.

At the same time, the text warns against idealising the many challenges facing family life, urging Catholics to care for, rather than condemning, all those whose lives do not reflect the teaching of the Church. In particular the document focuses on the need for “personal and pastoral discernment” for individuals, recognising that “neither the Synod, nor this Exhortation could be expected to provide a new set of general rules, canonical in nature and applicable to all cases”.

The website of the Bishops of England and Wales has a whole section dedicated to the document. You can download the full text of Amoris Laetitia, and the official summary of the document, but there are also background info such as a video of Bishop Peter Doyle, who attended the Synods, and a simple Q&A document from the Holy See, to help handling some of the questions that we and others might be asking.

www.catholic-ew.org.uk/Home/Featured/Amoris-Laetitia-The-Joy-of-Love

For myself, it is the tone of this document which is refreshing. Pope Francis is not afraid to wade into the realities of life today, or to try to guide us through the classic problem of how to be true to Christian teaching while also being true to the value of every person and his or her journey. Chapter 8 while not easy reading, should be compulsory for all clergy, counsellors and anyone trying to find a way through life – their own or others.

Fr Matthew

The Gospel today takes me back to one of my most special places. My pilgrimages to the Holy Land must come pretty high in my list of best things I’ve done. Within the pilgrimages it is hard to say what have been my “best bits”. But high on that list must come Tabgha, the site on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee where today’s Gospel is traditionally said to have taken place – the famous “Breakfast on the Beach”. A little chapel sits right on the edge of the shore. Next to it an open air altar under a tree backs on to the beautiful water, with a moving statue of Jesus and a kneeling Peter visible through the tree. Each of the times I have celebrated Mass there has been truly inspiring.

The present little church was built in 1933 and incorporates parts of an earlier 4th century one. At the base of its walls, opposite the main altar, foundations of the 4th century church are visible. In the 9th century, the church was referred to as the “Place of the Coals”. This name refers to Jesus’ preparation of a meal for the apostles, building a charcoal fire on which to cook the fish. Also first mentioned in the year 808 are the “Twelve Thrones”, a series of heart shaped stones, which were placed along the shore to commemorate the Twelve Apostles. The church survived longer than any other in the area, finally being destroyed in 1263. The present Franciscan chapel was included in the itineraries of Popes Paul VI and St John Paul II during their visits to Israel in 1964 and March 2000 respectively.

The church contains a projection of limestone rock in front of the present altar which is venerated as a “Mensa Christi”, Latin for “table of Christ”. According to tradition this is the spot where Jesus is said to have laid out a breakfast of bread and fish for the Apostles, and told Peter to “Feed my sheep” after the miraculous catch, the third time he appeared to them after his Resurrection.

This would have to be one of my “special places”. Take a moment perhaps today to remember some of your special places, and treasure whatever blessing God gave you there.

Fr Matthew