May families burdened by tribulations find in the cross the strength to continue, pope says
Rome (AsiaNews) - Burdened by misunderstandings, conflicts, concerns for the future of one's children, sickness and problems of every kind, many families find themselves at present in a situation that is "made worse by the threat of unemployment and other negative effects of the economic crisis." Under such circumstances, may they find in the cross of Christ the courage to continue, Benedict XVI said at the conclusion of tonight's rite of the Via Crucis, which, according to an established tradition, ends at the Coliseum.
Thousands of people gathered at the amphitheatre. Mr and Mrs Danilo and Anna Maria Zanzucchi wrote the meditations, from the Focolari Movement, founders of the "Famiglie Nuove' (New Families) Movement. The topic, which is close to the pope's heart, was also at the centre of his remarks as well as of the reflections read during the way. Some families from Italy, Ireland, Africa and Latin America carried the cross. Mgr Agostino Vallini, cardinal vicar of Rome and two Franciscan friars from the Custody of the Holy Land did the same.
"The experience of suffering," Benedict XVI said, "touches all mankind; it touches the family too. How often does the journey become wearisome and difficult! Misunderstandings, conflicts, worry for the future of our children, sickness and problems of every kind. These days too, the situation of many families is made worse by the threat of unemployment and other negative effects of the economic crisis. The Way of the Cross, which we have spiritually retraced this evening, invites all of us, and families in particular, to contemplate Christ crucified in order to have the force to overcome difficulties. The cross of Christ is the supreme sign of God's love for every man and woman, the superabundant response to every person's need for love. At times of trouble, when our families have to face pain and adversity, let us look to Christ's cross. There we can find the courage and strength to press on; there we can repeat with firm hope the words of Saint Paul: "Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Rom, 8:35,37).
"In times of trial and tribulation, we are not alone; the family is not alone. Jesus is present with his love, he sustains them by his grace and grants the strength needed to carry on, to make sacrifices and to overcome every obstacle. And it is to this love of Christ that we must turn when human turmoil and difficulties threaten the unity of our lives and our families. The mystery of Christ's suffering, death and resurrection inspires us to go on in hope: times of trouble and testing, when endured with Christ, with faith in him, already contain the light of the resurrection, the new life of a world reborn, the Passover of all those who believe in his word."
"In that crucified Man who is the Son of God, even death itself takes on new meaning and purpose: it is redeemed and overcome, it becomes a passage to new life. "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it produces much fruit" (Jn, 12:24). Let us entrust ourselves to the Mother of Christ. May Mary, who accompanied her Son along his way of sorrows, who stood beneath the cross at the hour of his death, and who inspired the Church at its birth to live in God's presence, lead our hearts and the hearts of every family through the vast mysterium passionis towards the mysterium paschale, towards that light which breaks forth from Christ's resurrection and reveals the definitive victory of love, joy and life over evil, suffering and death."
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