“Rigid” seems to be one of his favorite pejorative words. Maybe he thinks the Ten Commandments should be interpreted flexibly. Lots of people would like that.
Poisonous antinomianism. Even the "bad popes" of the Renaissance didn't fall into that trap.
But then, Holy Father... since if we're going to start saying that certain rules need not be given excessive importance... shall we choose to not give excessive importance to Canon 1404?
So, is he saying the Lord is wishy-washy in telling us how to live a holy life?
“This is all the more important when some novelty presents itself in our lives. Then we have to decide whether it is new wine brought by God or an illusion created by the spirit of this world or the spirit of the devil. At other times, the opposite can happen, when the forces of evil induce us not to change, to leave things as they are, to opt for a rigid resistance to change.”
What is it that hath been? the same thing that shall be. What is it that hath been done? the same that shall be done. Ecclesiastes 1:9.
There is nothing new under the sun. There are no new sins. That which was a sin 2000 years ago is still a sin today. The Pope can not change what was said by the prophets or the Christ.
Christianity also teaches one does not gain Heaven by merit.
Paul notes this in Ephesians.
4But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Ephesians 2:4-10 NASB
Naturally, it is Christ Himself who justifies and saves, but he doesn’t save anyone unless they obey his laws and commandments to the letter. “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” (Romans 2:13).
Let's put the passage into context....something seemingly lost on Roman Catholics.
The Roman Catholic is arguing that one must keep the Law...the OT Law, all 614 commandments, to be saved. However, Paul is arguing against that very thing.
12For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; 13for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. 14For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus. Romans 2:12-16 NASB
But this is only part of the writings of Paul in Romans on this for in Romans 3 he goes to write:
21But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. Romans 3:21-30 NASB
The Savior reminds us that “he will render to every man according to his works.” (Matthew 16:27)
And again, context is key to understanding this verse.
24Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27“For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. 28“Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”