It is time for the theologians of the International Theological Commission and those of individual nations to sign in for Pope Francis.  And it is time for the primates of the countries to abjure their silence and to defend the Gospel of Christ, the Good Shepherd, seeking out the "people who have been sitting in darkness" [put there largely by people like these letter-of-the-law cardinals].

In today's Gospel reading for December 9, 2017---we have Jesus condemning those who questioned his non-ascetic ways---and could not be pleased by either John or by Jesus.  [Matt. 11:18] "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon': the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'  yet wisdom is vindicated by her children."