I was featured in the Tablet with an article from the Evangelization Congress as I spoke about the importance of Pope Francis’ exhortation, the Joy of Love.

“‘The Joy of Love’ is a master document on the church’s teaching on the family, marriage, sexuality as well as the virtue of marriage and educating children,” said Sutton, who attends Holy Family Church, Fresh Meadows, with his wife and five daughters. “God is providing a source of comfort and companionship for every family in the word of God.”

Sutton broke down the exhortation’s sections and likened it to Pope Francis washing the feet of 12 people during Holy Thursday liturgy, when the pope made three movements: cleansing, kissing the feet, and accompanying the person. This relates to a culture of encountering families where they are, followed by kissing and acknowledging the reality and challenges families face, and constantly accompanying families, which includes the extended family.

“Our grandparents, they come from a generation where if something is broken you fix it,” Sutton said. “We live in a broken culture, where we throw away our spouses when it gets tough, but remember that generation… Ask for help and reach out when that fixing needs to happen.”

He also talked about the examples of families in Scripture and how humankind starts with a family in Adam and Eve and is redeemed in Jesus’ family. He added that the intent of the pope in having two synods on the family as well as this exhortation is to respond to the brokenness families can experience and remind the faithful that God’s grace is always available for them.