Pope: The family of Nazareth is holy because it is 'centred on Jesus'
During the Angelus, Pope Francis stressed “the astonishment and anguish" felt by Mary and Joseph as they searched for their Son. “Being astonished and surprised is the opposite of taking everything for granted," he noted. "The anguish they felt in the three days that Jesus was missing should also be our anguish when we are far from Him.” The pope urged prayers for all the families in the world, especially those "missing peace and harmony" and a Hail Mary for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis spoke to the numerous pilgrims in St Peter's Square about the meaning of today’s feast of the Holy Family. In his address, the pontiff noted that "The family of Nazareth is holy because it was centered on Jesus” and “all of Mary’s and Joseph’s attention and concerns were for him".
Citing today’s Gospel (Lk 2: 41-52), he mentioned when Jesus was found among the doctors of the temple, after three days of search. "Upon seeing their Son, Mary and Joseph ‘were astonished’ (Lk 2: 48) and his Mother expressed their apprehension saying: ‘Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety’ (ibid).”
"Astonishment and anxiety are the two elements to which I would like to draw your attention. In the family of Nazareth, astonishment never ceased, not even in a tragic moment like when Jesus went missing. It is the ability to be astonished by the gradual manifestation of the Son of God. It is the same astonishment that also affects the doctors of the temple, ‘astounded at his understanding and his answers’ (Lk 2: 47)."
"Being astonished and surprised is the opposite of taking everything for granted; it is the opposite of interpreting the reality that surrounds us and the events of history only according to our own criteria. Being astonished is opening up to others, understanding the reasons of others. This attitude is important for healing compromised relations between people and is also indispensable for healing open wounds in the family."
"When there are problems in families, we take it for granted that we are right and we close the door to others . . . When you have problems with someone in your family, think about the good things of the person with whom you have problems and this will help heal wounds in the family environment."
"The second element that I would like to take from the Gospel is the anxiety that Mary and Joseph experienced when they could not find Jesus. This anxiety shows the central place of Jesus in the Holy Family. The Virgin and her husband had welcomed that Son, protected him and saw him grow in age, wisdom and grace in their midst, but above all saw him grow up in their hearts. Little by little, their affection and understanding of him increased. This is why the family of Nazareth is holy: because it was centred on Jesus” and “all of Mary’s and Joseph’s attention and concerns were for him ".
"The anxiety they felt in the three days that Jesus was missing should also be our anxiety when we are far from Him. We should feel anxiety when we forget about Jesus for more than three days, without praying, without reading the Gospel, without feeling the need for his presence and consoling friendship.
“Many times, days go by without me remembering Jesus . . . Mary and Joseph looked for him and found him in the temple where he was teaching. It is above all in the house of God that we too can meet the divine Master and welcome his message of salvation. Through the Eucharistic celebration we experience the living Christ. He speaks to us, offers us his Word that lights up our journey, and gives us his Body in the Eucharist from which we draw strength to face every day difficulties."
"Let us go home,” said the pope, “with these two words: astonishment and anxiety. [. . .] Let us pray for all the families of the world, especially those who, for various reasons, are missing peace and harmony. Let us entrust them to the protection of the Holy Family of Nazareth."
After the Angelus prayer, Francis asked all those present to say a Hail Mary for the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has experienced violence before today’s elections and is facing an outbreak of Ebola, which will not allow some areas to vote.
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31/01/2023 20:35
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