Pope: the world needs to recognise the role of families and women
Nazareth (AsiaNews) – It’s the biggest Christian gathering in the Holy Land in recent history: at least 30 thousand people who fill the natural amphitheatre of Mount Precipice outside Nazareth, where Benedict XVI celebrates the last mass of his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, before his departure tomorrow. A rite that is naturally dedicated to the family, with the Pope who underlined its role as a solid example for the entire structure of society – a fact that must push States to support it. The Pope stresses each of its components, starting from the essential role of women in the “creation of a ‘human ecology’ of which the world, and this land, is in urgent need”.
In this place which Christian tradition identifies with the Gospel of Luke episode, when an angry crowd led Jesus to the precipice to be hurled below, the people wave the flags of Israel and the Vatican, but also flags from Palestine, France, Italy, Brazil, the United States, the Philippines and many, many more. Many of these people have spent the night here, the omnipresent Israeli police refer, and whose officers are on the ground in vast numbers. They surround the Pope escorting him to the steps of the raised altar. The climate is one of great festivity: choirs, guitars and tambourines greet Benedict XVI’s arrival, shortly before 10. He flew the 110 kilometres that divide Jerusalem from this city, the largest Arab city in Israel and the capital of Galilee by helicopter, but then he used the pope mobile, despite the rumours of the past few days that Israeli security would not have allowed it.
Nazareth, “the flower of Galilee”, is also home to the largest Christian community, 35% of the population, almost 20 thousand people. Until very recently they were the majority. “The Christian pains us deeply and shows us a discouraging prospective for the future”, said the Greek-Melkite Vicar of Nazareth, Elias Chacour in his welcoming address to the Pope. Then there are also the economic and social difficulties and the relations with Muslims which have caused many to leave. The Pope also speaks of this: “Nazareth – he says - has experienced tensions in recent years which have harmed relations between its Christian and Muslim communities. I urge people of good will in both communities to repair the damage that has been done, and in fidelity to our common belief in one God, the Father of the human family, to work to build bridges and find the way to a peaceful coexistence. Let everyone reject the destructive power of hatred and prejudice, which kills men’s souls before it kills their bodies!”. Ahead of Benedict XVI’s visit leaflets had appeared saying he was “not welcome”. This hostility towards the Pope’s visit explained the Mayor of Nazareth, Ramiz Jaraisy, a Christian, only regarded a “tiny minority”, while now “relations between Christians and Muslims in Nazareth are very good”.
But Nazareth calls on the Pope to speak first and foremost about the family. Moreover, here the Year of the Family concludes for the Catholic Churches of the region. “Here, - affirms Benedict XVI - in the example of Mary, Joseph and Jesus, we come to appreciate even more fully the sacredness of the family, which in God’s plan is based on the lifelong fidelity of a man and a woman consecrated by the marriage covenant and accepting of God’s gift of new life. How much the men and women of our time need to reappropriate this fundamental truth, which stands at the foundation of society, and how important is the witness of married couples for the formation of sound consciences and the building of a civilization of love!!”.
“In the family – he adds - each person, whether the smallest child or the oldest relative, is valued for himself or herself, and not seen simply as a means to some other end. Here we begin to glimpse something of the essential role of the family as the first building-block of a well-ordered and welcoming society. We also come to appreciate, within the wider community, the duty of the State to support families in their mission of education, to protect the institution of the family and its inherent rights, and to ensure that all families can live and flourish in conditions of dignity”.
As at the beginning of his voyage in Jordan, Benedict XVI highlights the role of women in general and in the Middle East in particular. “Nazareth reminds us of our need to acknowledge and respect the God-given dignity and proper role of women, as well as their particular charisms and talents. Whether as mothers in families, as a vital presence in the work force and the institutions of society, or in the particular vocation of following our Lord by the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience, women have an indispensable role in creating that “human ecology” (cf. Centesimus Annus, 39) which our world, and this land, so urgently needs: a milieu in which children learn to love and to cherish others, to be honest and respectful to all, to practice the virtues of mercy and forgiveness”.
“Here too, - he adds later on - we think of Saint Joseph, the just man whom God wished to place over his household. From Joseph’s strong and fatherly example Jesus learned the virtues of a manly piety, fidelity to one’s word, integrity and hard work. In the carpenter of Nazareth he saw how authority placed at the service of love is infinitely more fruitful than the power which seeks to dominate. How much our world needs the example, guidance and quiet strength of men like Joseph!”.
“Finally, in contemplating the Holy Family of Nazareth, we turn to the child Jesus, who in the home of Mary and Joseph grew in wisdom and understanding, until the day he began his public ministry. Here I would simply like to leave a particular thought with the young people here. The Second Vatican Council teaches that children have a special role to play in the growth of their parents in holiness (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 48). I urge you to reflect on this, and to let the example of Jesus guide you, not only in showing respect for your parents, but also helping them to discover more fully the love which gives our lives their deepest meaning. In the Holy Family of Nazareth, it was Jesus who taught Mary and Joseph something of the greatness of the love of God his heavenly Father, the ultimate source of all love, the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name (cf. Eph 3:14-15).”.
Benedict XVI’s last thoughts obviously turn to Mary: “May our Lady of the Annunciation, who courageously opened her heart to God’s mysterious plan, and became the Mother of all believers, guide and sustain us by her prayers. May she obtain for us and our families the grace to open our ears to that word of the Lord which has the power to build us up (cf. Acts 20:32), to inspire courageous decisions, and to guide our feet into the path of peace!
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