VATICAN CITY, JAN. 6, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here
is a Vatican translation of the address Benedict XVI gave Dec. 26 before
praying the midday Angelus together with those gathered in St. Peter's Square.
* * *
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
The Gospel according to Luke recounts that when the shepherds of Bethlehem had
received the Angel's announcement of the Messiah's birth "they went with
haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger" (2:16).
The first eyewitnesses of Jesus' birth therefore beheld a family scene: a
mother, a father and a newborn son. For this reason the Liturgy has us
celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family on the First Sunday after Christmas.
This year it occurred the very day after Christmas, and, taking precedence
over the Feast of St Stephen, invites us to contemplate this "icon"
in which the little Jesus appears at the centre of his parents' affection and
care.
In the poor grotto of Bethlehem -- the Fathers of the Church wrote -- shines a
very bright light, a reflection of the profound mystery which envelopes that
Child, which Mary and Joseph cherish in their hearts and which can be seen in
their expression, in their actions, and especially in their silence. Indeed,
they preserve in their inmost depths the words of the Angel's Annunciation to
Mary: "the Child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God" (Lk
1:35).
Yet every child's birth brings something of this mystery with it! Parents who
receive a child as a gift know this well and often speak of it in this way. We
have all heard people say to a father and a mother: "this child is a
gift, a miracle!". Indeed, human beings do not experience procreation
merely as a reproductive act but perceive its richness and intuit that every
human creature who is born on earth is the "sign" par excellence of
the Creator and Father who is in Heaven.
How important it is, therefore, that every child coming into the world be
welcomed by the warmth of a family! External comforts do not matter: Jesus was
born in a stable and had a manger as his first cradle, but the love of Mary
and of Joseph made him feel the tenderness and beauty of being loved. Children
need this: the love of their father and mother. It is this that gives them
security and, as they grow, enables them to discover the meaning of life. The
Holy Family of Nazareth went through many trials, such as the "massacre
of the innocents" -- as recounted in the Gospel according to Matthew --
which obliged Joseph and Mary to flee to Egypt (cf. 2:13-23). Yet, trusting in
divine Providence, they found their stability and guaranteed Jesus a serene
childhood and a sound upbringing.
Dear friends, the Holy Family is of course unique and unrepeatable, but at the
same time it is a "model of life" for every family because Jesus,
true man, chose to be born into a human family and thereby blessed and
consecrated it. Let us therefore entrust all families to Our Lady and to St
Joseph, so that they do not lose heart in the face of trials and difficulties
but always cultivate conjugal love and devote themselves with trust to the
service of life and education.
[After reciting the Angelus, the Holy Father made the following appeal:]
Over this Christmas period, the desire and calls for the gift of peace have
become more intense. Yet our world continues to be marked by violence,
especially against the disciples of Christ. I learned with great sadness of
the attack on a Catholic church in the Philippines during the celebration of
the Christmas liturgy, as well as attacks against Christian churches in
Nigeria. The earth has also been stained with blood in other parts of the
world, such as Pakistan. I wish to express my heartfelt condolences for the
victims of this absurd violence, and I once again reiterate my appeal to
abandon the path of hatred in order to find peaceful solutions to conflicts
and bring security and tranquillity to those dear people. On this day in which
we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, who underwent the dramatic
experience of having to flee into Egypt because of the murderous fury of
Herod, let us remember all those, especially families, who are forced to
abandon their homes because of war, violence and intolerance. I invite you,
therefore, to join me in praying fervently that the Lord may touch people's
hearts and bring hope, reconciliation and peace
[The Holy Father then greeted those present in various languages. In English,
he said:]
I am pleased to greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present
for this Angelus prayer on the Feast of the Holy Family. Reflecting on the
love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph for one another, we see that Nazareth is a kind
of school where we may begin to discover the life of Christ and to understand
his Gospel. May the peace of the Holy Family always be in your homes and fill
you with gladness. Upon you and your loved ones, I invoke God’s abundant
blessings!
© Copyright 2011 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
