Pope says ability to forgive and be forgiven makes families solid and society less cruel
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "It is essential that, in a sometimes ruthless society, there are places, such as the family, where we can learn to forgive one another," because "the practice of forgiveness not only saves families from division, but it enables them to help the society to be less poor and less cruel”.
The family as a "great training ground for mutual gifting and forgiveness” was the topic of Pope Francis general audience today with the 30 thousand people present in St Peter's Square, among which, as usual, he toured at length in his open topped jeep.
The ability to forgive and be forgiven, in the words of Francis, is also part of the mission entrusted to families by the Synod which he described as "a moment of grace". The Pope also said that he must “meditate” on the outcome of the Synod.
"Today - he continued - I would like to underline this point: that the family is a great training ground for mutual gifting and forgiveness, without which no love can last, without the gifting oneself and forgiveness love does not stay, it does not last ! In prayer He Himself taught us - the Our Father - Jesus makes us ask the Father: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." And in the end he says: "If you forgive others their sins, your Father in heaven will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses "(Matthew 6,12.14-15). You cannot live without forgiving, or at least you cannot live well, especially in the family. Every day we do each other wrong. We must take into account these mistakes, due to our fragility and our selfishness. But what is required of us now it is to heal the wounds that we create, immediately re-weave the threads that break in the family. If we wait too long, everything becomes more difficult. And there's a simple secret to healing wounds and easing accusations: never end the day without saying sorry, without making peace between husband and wife, between parents and children, brothers and sisters in-law and with mothers-in-law...! If we learn to immediately apologize and seek mutual forgiveness, healing the wounds, the marriage is strengthened, and the family home becomes more and more solid, resisting the shock of our cruelties, great and small, and that is why long speeches are not necessary, just a caress and everything starts again, but never end the day at war, understand ?! ".
"If we learn to live as a family, we do it outside, wherever we are. It is easy to be skeptical about this. Many - even Christians – think it is an exaggeration. They say: yes, they are beautiful words, but it is impossible to put them into practice. But thank God that this is not so. In fact, it is by receiving forgiveness from God that we, in turn, are able to forgive others. This is why Jesus makes us repeat these words every time we recite the Lord's Prayer, that is, every day. And it is essential that, in a sometimes ruthless society, there are places, such as the family, where we learn to forgive one another. "
"The Synod has revived our hopes on this: the ability to forgive and to forgive is part of the vocation and mission of the family. The practice of forgiveness not only saves families from the division, but enables them to help society be less poor and cruel. Yes, every act of forgiveness repairs the house of cracks and strengthens its walls. The Church, dear families, is always there by your side to help you build your house on the rock of which Jesus spoke. And do not forget the words that immediately precede the parable of the house: " Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. "(cf. Mt 7.21 to 23). These are strong words, no doubt, which aim to shake us and call us to conversion. I assure you, dear families, that if you are able to walk with greater determination on the path of the Beatitudes, learning and teaching how to forgive each other, in the great family of the Church the ability to bear witness to the renewing power of God's forgiveness will grow. In contrast, we may be beautiful preachers, and maybe even rout some devils, but in the end the Lord will not recognize us as his disciples "
"Real Christian families can do much for today's society, and also for the Church. It is therefore, my wish that during the Jubilee of Mercy families rediscover the treasure of mutual forgiveness. We pray that the families are increasingly able to live and to build concrete roads of reconciliation, where nobody feels abandoned to the weight of their trespasses. With this intention, let us say together: 'Our Father, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us’. Let's say it together: Our Father forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us ' ".
Finally, addressing the Polish pilgrims Francis recalled that next Sunday the Church in Poland marks a Day of Solidarity with the persecuted Church and added: "This year the spiritual and material assistance is particularly directed to Christians in Syria. May your work of prayer and solidarity bring relief and support to our brothers and sisters who suffer for Christ in the Middle East and around the world".
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