tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post6571407647566985496..comments2024-03-27T15:47:46.091-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: A Chatterbox. . . Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-50345327914696656832016-07-15T04:23:36.326-05:002016-07-15T04:23:36.326-05:00I think the following article gives a fair insight...I think the following article gives a fair insight into Pope Francis and his Off-the-cuff comments. <br />https://cruxnow.com/commentary/2016/07/02/pope-francis-goes-off-cuff-think-latin-america/ErnestOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13077415409728022160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-17191888020513745412016-07-13T08:43:15.588-05:002016-07-13T08:43:15.588-05:00When a Pope, or a politician, or even you and I sp...When a Pope, or a politician, or even you and I speak about any topic "off the cuff," we open up a mirror to our state of mind and expose ourselves to approval, criticism, laughter, scorn, or perceived hypocrisy.. The "off the cuff" remark is usually a time in which our opinions surface above our much more desirable reasoned and measured thought process. Our "off the cuff" remarks usually get us into trouble because our listeners wonder if we are seriously reflecting our true and unvarnished views, or are we just being momentarily emotional and thoughtless. Even Martin Luther made "off the cuff" public comments...running his mouth too much, and riding roughshod over his otherwise brilliant intellectual discernment. Being rash in one's speech, as Donald Trump might privately admit, can bring both positive and negative responses....and being blunt is not always a virtue. Honesty and truth can be expressed in a choice of words that can inflame passions or elicit agreement, depending on the circumstances and tone as well. The Pope is an "off the cuff" speaker and unpredictable. As such, many wonder where he really stands on the issues.John Joseph Flanaganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06596324816480709495noreply@blogger.com