A new look on the family – Second Day of Fifteenth Southern California Congress of Divine Mercy
Pope Francis noted that “the main intention of the Document (Amoris Laetitia) is to communicate…that today a new look at the family is necessary on the part of the Church.” He stressed that reiterating the value of doctrine is not enough. Rather, we must become “custodians” of the beauty of the family and take care of its fragilities and wounds “with compassion.”
Pope Francis went on to say that there are two aspects at the heart of all family ministry: “the frankness of the proclamation of the Gospel and the tenderness of accompaniment”.
He explained that, on the one hand, “we proclaim to couples, spouses and families a Word that helps them grasp the authentic meaning of the union and love, the sign and image of Trinitarian love and of the covenant between Christ and the Church.”
On the other hand, the Pope noted, “this proclamation cannot and must never be given from above or from outside.” He explained that the Church is incarnated in history, as was her Master. So, when she proclaims the Gospel of the family, she does so by immersing herself in real life, knowing firsthand the daily struggles of spouses and parents, their problems, their sufferings, all those small and large situations that weigh down and sometimes hinder their journey.”
From the Teaching of Pope Francis
“In imitation of the Holy Family, we are called to rediscover the educational value of the family unit: it requires being founded on the love that always regenerates relationships, opening up horizons of hope. Within the family one can experience sincere communion when it is a house of prayer, when affections are serious, profound, pure, when forgiveness prevails over discord, when the daily harshness of life is softened by mutual tenderness and serene adherence to God’s will. In this way, the family opens itself up to the joy that God gives to all those who know how to give joyfully. At the same time, it finds the spiritual energy to be open to the outside world, to others, to serving brothers and sisters, to cooperation in building an ever new and better world; capable, therefore, of becoming a bearer of positive stimuli; the family evangelizes by the example of life.
(…) It is true that there are problems, and at times arguments in every family. “Father, I argued...”. But we are human, we are weak, and we all quarrel within the family at times. I will tell you something: if you quarrel within the family, do not end the day without making peace. “Yes, I quarreled”, but before the end of the day, make peace. And do you know why? Because a cold war, day after day, is extremely dangerous. It does not help. And then, in the family there are three words, three phrases that must always be held dear: “Excuse me”, “Thank you”, and “Sorry”. “Excuse me”, so as not to be intrusive in the life of others. “Excuse me: may I do something? Do you think I can do this? Excuse me”. Always, not being intrusive. “Excuse me”, the first phrase. “Thank you”: so much help, so much service that we do for one another within the family. Always say thank you. Gratitude is the lifeblood of the noble soul. “Thank you”. And then, the hardest one to say: “I am sorry”. Because we always do some bad things and often someone is offended by this: “I am sorry”, “I am sorry”. Do not forget the three phrases: “excuse me”, “thank you”, and “I am sorry”. If there are these three phrases in a family, in a family environment, then the family is fine”.(Pope Francis,Angelus Domini, December 27, 2020)
Until Tomorrow
fr. george