The Vatican on Friday published Pope Francis’ eagerly-awaited Apostolic Exhoratation on the family, called the Joy of Love drawing together almost three years of consultations with Catholics in countries around the world. One observation the Holy Father makes in the document is that receiving Holy Communion is not a reward for a job well done. Instead, the Eucharist should be understand as medicine for the sick, as waybread for the journey. In doing so he echoes the mercy of Jesus who says after he declares himself to be “the Bread of Life:” “I will not reject anyone who comes to me [and] I should not lose anything of what he gave me.” The challenge Pope Francis extends to the Church — we must find a way to be inclusive to everyone, especially to those feeling rejected and abandoned.
