Vatican
City, 27 December 2015 (VIS) – At 10:00 this morning, on the Feast
of the Holy Family, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s
Basilica. During the celebration, attended by Roman and pilgrim
families for the Jubilee of Family, he gave the following homily:
''The
biblical readings which we just heard presented us with the image of
two families on pilgrimage to the house of God. Elkanah and Hannah
bring their son Samuel to the Temple of Shiloh and consecrate him to
the Lord. In the same way, Joseph and Mary, in the company of Jesus,
go as pilgrims to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover.''
''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 could say that family life
is a series of pilgrimages, both small and big.''
''For
example, how comforting it is for us to reflect on Mary and Joseph
teaching Jesus how to pray! This is a sort of pilgrimage, the
pilgrimage of education in prayer. And it is comforting also 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’.''
''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, just like Elkanah and Anna, Joseph and Mary, 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 in the pilgrimage of everyday life.''
''At
the end of that pilgrimage, Jesus returned to Nazareth and was
obedient to his parents. This image also contains a beautiful
teaching about our families. 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.
We know what Jesus did on that occasion. 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. For this
little ‘escapade’, Jesus probably had to beg forgiveness of 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. Moments like these become part of
the pilgrimage of each family; the Lord transforms the moments into
opportunities to grow, to ask for and to receive forgiveness, to show
love and obedience.''
''In
the Year of Mercy, every Christian family can become a privileged
place on this pilgrimage for experiencing the joy of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is the essence of the love which can understand mistakes
and mend them. How miserable we would be if God did not forgive us!
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 – the domestic
pilgrimage of daily family life – which the world and the Church
need, now more than ever.''
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