Hello Michael (smile)
I had wondered when Pope John Paul II favored Pope Benedict to be his successor. I had bet everybody that Pope Benedict is far from the holy status of Pope John Paul II. Whatever that means I don't know. What I said then just dawn on me now. Anyway, yes, the world is changing and the Catholic Church it seem is between a hard place & a hard rock. Should we or should we not change? Hard to say.
I just mentioned Jesuits because I was around Jesuits a lot. I like them for many reasons. They do not condemn me when I say some things off the wall comment about my Faith. They would explain things to me in the religious sense about my comment(s) then agree with me in the philosophical things I see fit about my comment(s) Example of which, quote, "Father, the bible say, if someone throw you a rock, throw a bread in return" and I said, "yeah! I will? not a chance. If they throw me a stone, a boulder will return back to them" and he,the priest nearly burst into laughter. Then I second it with a comment such as, "and also Father, bible said, if someone slap me on the right cheek, give the left too" My response, "oh yeah! I'm not that stupid to get hit the second time around" and the priest was just shaking his head. This conversation took place in front of my Dad who was apologizing to the priest because he was shock himself to hear what I got to say about my religion. The priest told my Dad no apologies was required on his part and my part. In, fact he explained to my Dad what I really meant in my heart, and quoted scriptures of John in the bible. Boy! can I kiss that priest. I am so unconventional when it comes to my Faith. I am different from my Dad but my Dad never infringed on my freedom to express myself, which I so love about my Dad.
My Dad is a pious Catholic, boy! in so many sense very religious.....and so am I only in a different way. Because I majored in Philosophy my outlook is not one of tradition when it comes to my Faith. After all, all my professors in theology and philosophy are Jesuits.
When I read the Bible, and before opening it and reading it, I ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten my understanding reading those scriptures. I don't take the Bible literally, I take them in the light of my human existence & experiences. The Bible to me serves as the green & red lights in my life. When in doubt, I stop at the yellow light.
My church really should not prescribe that which is impossible. The Ten (10) Commandment is always my argument on this regard. But, what do I know about my Faith running its business. In my faith, I would be considered as heretic, blasphemer, non-believer, etc...but you see my discipline in Meta-Physics (one of my Philosophy Courses) opened my eyes to the true meaning of my religion. Others would hardly accept me as Catholic the way I view my Faith..God forgive me, and God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I can not change, Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.