Sunday Meditation: Do You Love Me?

In today's gospel Jesus asks that question of Peter --- three times. Why three times? To make up for the triple betrayal on Good Friday. I was reflecting on Peter's betrayal this morning in the light (or the dark) of the pope's apostolic exhortation. I admit outright that I haven't read more than the first few pages yet, but people I respect have read it. And they are saying things that don't exactly bolster one's confidence in the outcome we'll see following the promulgation of this encyclopedic exhortation.


Here's what Phil Lawler of Catholic World News says:

Amoris Laetitia is not a revolutionary document. It is a subversive one.
Pope Francis has not overthrown the traditional teachings of the Church, as many Catholics had either hoped or feared that he would, in this post-Synod exhortation. Instead he has sought to carve out ample room for a flexible pastoral interpretation of those teachings, encouraging pastors to help couples apply general moral principles to their specific circumstances. Unfortunately, the net effect of the Pope’s approach will very likely be an acceleration of an already powerful trend to dismiss the Church’s perennial teaching, and therefore a decline in respect for the pastoral ministry he hopes to encourage.

Patrick Archbold of Creative Minority Report says this:

Amoris Laetitia has more words than the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke combined. Think about it.
You'll hear many things about papal doc tomorrow. Ask this simple question. Does it tend to lead people out of sin or confirm them in it?
As I previously said, 2% actual Catholic teaching, 97% Jesuitical gobbledygook, and 1% poison. I stand by that.

And Robert Royal at The Catholic Thing has another similar take:

Amoris Laetitia hopes to resolve the situations of many in the modern world, but is far more likely only to add further fuel to the holocaust. It doesn’t take a crystal ball to predict that once Communion can be taken by the divorced/remarried in some circumstances, it will soon be assumed licit by all. And – why not? – by people in gay relationships, who probably have an equally good claim to mitigating circumstances.

My question: Are confusion and ambiguity signs of love or signs of something sinister? Pray for Pope Francis, but even more diligently for Holy Mother Church and the poor confused people in the pews.