Pope says to preach Gospel, then Law

The Pope began his Jubilee Year of Mercy by ceremonially opening the Holy Door at St. Peter’s basilica.  (More on that and the indulgences going through a door like that will get you in a later post.)  In the accompanying address, Pope Francis reversed what Lutherans say about preaching the Law (to awaken hearers to their sinful condition), then the Gospel (the message of free salvation won by Christ on the Cross).  He said to first preach God’s mercy and THEN preach God’s judgement.

From Pope opens Holy Door, says mercy trumps moralizing – trivalleycentral.com: World News.

Francis launched the 12-month jubilee to emphasize what has become the leitmotif of his papacy: showing the merciful and welcoming side of a Catholic Church more often known for moralizing and casting judgment.

“How much wrong we do to God and his grace when we speak of sins being punished by his judgment before we speak of their being forgiven by his mercy,” Francis told an estimated 50,000 people gathered under rainy skies for his Mass opening the jubilee. “We have to put mercy before judgment, and in any event God’s judgment will always be in the light of his mercy.”

[Keep reading. . .]

What’s the problem with this?