Pope: The "everyday pilgrimage" of the family, an "important mission which the world and the Church needs now more than ever"
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "The world and the Church" need now "more than ever" the “important mission" that of not losing "confidence in the family": This was the conclusion and the mandate that Pope Francis gave to all those present today in St Peter's Basilica where he celebrated the Eucharist on the occasion of the Jubilee of Families.
In a St. Peter’s full of parents, children, grandparents of different nationalities, the Pope entrusted families to be a place of education to pilgrimage, prayer, sharing, forgiveness: "They are all small gestures - he said - that nevertheless express great formative role that is proper to the family". Repeatedly he likened the life of the family to a "daily pilgrimage" towards a common goal.
Inspired by today's Gospel (Lk 2.41 to 52), the Feast of the Holy Family, which speaks of the pilgrimage of Jesus, Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem, Francis said: "We often see pilgrims journeying to shrines and places dear to popular piety. These days, many of them are making their way to the Holy Door opened in all the cathedrals of the world and in many shrines. But the most beautiful thing which emerges from the word of God today is that the whole family goes on pilgrimage. Fathers, mothers and children together go to the house of the Lord, in order to sanctify the holy day with prayer. It is an important teaching, which is meant for our own families as well.. Indeed we can say that family life is made of small and great pilgrimages ".
"How comforting it is for us to reflect on Mary and Joseph teaching Jesus how to pray! And to know that throughout the day they would pray together, and then go each Sabbath to the synagogue to listen to readings from the Law and the Prophets, and to praise the Lord with the assembly. Certainly, during their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, they prayed by singing the Psalm: “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’ Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem (122:1-2)”.
Pope Francis continued: “How important it is for our families to journey together towards a single goal! We know that we have a road to travel together; a road along which we encounter difficulties but also enjoy moments of joy and consolation. And on this pilgrimage of life we also share in moments of prayer. What can be more beautiful than for a father and mother to bless their children at the beginning and end of each day, to trace on their forehead the sign of the cross, as they did on the day of their baptism? Is this not the simplest prayer which parents can offer for their children? To bless them, that is, to entrust them to the Lord, so that he can be their protection and support throughout the day. In the same way, it is important for families to join in a brief prayer before meals, in order to thank the Lord for these gifts and to learn how to share what we have received with those in greater need. These are all little gestures, yet they point to the great formative role played by the family on its everyday pilgrimage".
"The pilgrimage - he added - A pilgrimage does not end when we arrive at our destination, but when we return home and resume our everyday lives, putting into practice the spiritual fruits of our experience".
Francis then recalled Jesus’ “escapade”, when "instead of returning home with his family, he stayed in Jerusalem, in the Temple, causing great distress to Mary and Joseph who were unable to find him”.
"Probably - even Jesus had to apologize to his parents. The Gospel doesn’t say this, but I believe that we can presume it. Mary’s question, moreover, contains a certain reproach, revealing the concern and anguish which she and Joseph felt. Returning home, Jesus surely remained close to them, as a sign of his complete affection and obedience".
"In the Year of Mercy - he concluded - every Christian family can become a privileged place for experiencing the joy of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the essence of the love which can understand mistakes and mend them. Within the family we learn how to forgive, because we are certain that we are understood and supported, whatever the mistakes we make. Let us not lose confidence in the family! It is beautiful when we can always open our hearts to one another, and hide nothing. Where there is love, there is also understanding and forgiveness. To all of you, dear families, I entrust this most important mission which the world and the Church need, now more than ever".
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