of marriage and the family". (paragraph 2) He says that the document addresses many issues in different ways and therefore says: "I do not recommend a rushed reading of the text." He asks the reader to consider the text "patiently and carefully". (paragraph 7) 1. In the Light of the Word This chapter is "a biblical meditation on key themes related to the topic of marriage and family life" and includes a section on the importance of work. 2. The Experiences and Challenges of Families Here the Pope considers the contemporary realities of family life, acknowledging the unique challenges faced at the present time, including phenomena like migration, lack of housing, inattention to persons with disabilities, lack of respect for the elderly, and "the ideological denial of differences between the sexes." He concludes that only by adopting a point of view of realism can we avoid an abstract and artificial notion of marriage which has little to do with the lived experiences of families in today's world. 3. Looking to Jesus, The Vocation of the Family Chapter three deals with the vocation of the family according to the Catholic tradition and the Gospels. It stresses the sacramental nature of marriage, its indissolubility, and its role in the transmission of life. Pope Francis states that the family is an image of the Trinity, Christ's love for the Church, and "the espousal of our human nature by the Son of God." (paragraphs 71 and 73) This chapter touches on "imperfect situations" and "wounded families" and calls pastors "to exercise careful discernment of situations." (Familiaris consortio, 84) 4. Love in Marriage Pope Francis examines each phrase of St. Paul's passage on love in 1 Corinthians 13:4–13:7 in detail. The progressive "transformation of love" that takes place throughout the marriage is a point of focus, stressing that the ideal represented by the union cannot happen at once, and it is observed that longer lifespans necessitate a renewal of commitment. 5. Love Made Fruitful In this chapter the focus shifts entirely to the procreative aspect of marriage. Pope Francis discusses the spiritual and psychological issues that come into play when welcoming new life into the world, and touches on subjects such as adoption and the role of the extended family. It is notable that Amoris laetitia does not speak only of the "nuclear family," insisting that the family must be understood as operating within a