This morning's General Audience began at 10:00am in Saint Peter's Square where the Holy Father met with groups of pilgrims and the faithful from Italy and from every corner of the world.
In his speech, the Pope continued the cycle of catecheses on the family, focusing today on the problem of poverty in families.
After having presented syntheses of His teaching in various languages, the Holy Father addressed greetings to each of the groups of the faithful who were present.
The General Audience concluded with the chanting of the Pater Noster and the Apostolic Blessing.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
On recent Wednesdays, we have reflected on the family and we continue with this theme, reflecting on the family. Beginning today, our catecheses open with a reflection on the considerations of vulnerability facing families who find themselves in living conditions that put them to the test. There are so many problems that they face.
One of these problems is poverty. We think of the many families who live on the outskirts of our mega-cities, but also in rural areas ... There is so much misery and degradation! Then, to make matters worse, in some places, war breaks out. War is always a terrible thing. It especially affects civilian populations and families. Truly, war is the mother of all poverty, war impoverishes families. It is a great predator of life, of souls and it affects the most sacred and cherished of values.
Despite all of this, there are many poor families who try to live with dignity in their daily lives, often openly trusting in the blessings of God. However, this lesson should not justify our indifference, but rather, it should increase our shame for the fact that there is so much poverty! It is almost a miracle that, even in poverty, the family continues to be formed and even to preserve - as only the family can - the humanity of its special ties. This fact irritates planners of good will who consider the affects, generations and family ties as secondary variables to the quality of life. They don't understand anything! Instead, we should kneel before such families, who are a true school of humanity that save our communities from barbarism.
What would remain if in fact we were to concede to the blackmail of Cesare and Mammon, of violence and money, and give up on family affections? A new civil ethic will only be achieved when those responsible for public life reorganize the social ties and stop fighting the destructive spiral between families and poverty, a fight that leads deeper and deeper into an abyss.
Today, the economy is often focused on individual enjoyment and well-being, but this is a practice that exploits family ties. It is a serious contradiction! The immense amount of work that is accomplished by families is not listed on any balance sheet, naturally! In fact, economics and politics are stingy about rewards of this sort. Yet, the interior formation of a person and the social development of affections find their source precisely in the strength of the family. If we are able to understand this truth, everything else will be better.
It is not merely a question of bread. We must also speak of work, of instruction, of health. It is important to understand this well. We are always deeply emotional when we see images of malnourished and sick children who are found in so many parts of the world. At the same time, we are also moved by the looks in the eyes of so many children who are deprived of everything, children who are in very rudimentary schools that appear to be made of nothing, when they proudly display their pencils and their notebooks. And the way they look - with such love - at their teacher! Truly, children know that man cannot live on bread alone! The effect of the family is also necessary, when there is suffering, children suffer because they want love, the love that binds a family together.
We Christians should always strive to be close to families who are tried by poverty. Just think, all of you know someone: a father who is unemployed, a mother who is out of work ... and the family suffers, the ties are weakened. This is horrible. In fact, social suffering has a deep impact on the family; it sometimes even destroys it. The lack of or the loss of a job, or its precariousness carry serious consequences for the family; relationships can be sorely tried. The living conditions in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, including housing and transportation problems, as well as reductions in social services, sanitation, schooling ... end up causing further difficulties. To these material factors is also added the damage to families that is caused by pseudo-models diffused by the mass media and based on cosumerism and the cult of appearance, which influences the poorest sectors of society and adds to the degradation of family ties. Care for families, care for them with affection when suffering puts families to the test!
The Church is a mother, and should never forget her children's sufferings. Even she should be poor in order to be fruitful and to respond to such suffering. A poor Church is a Church that practices simple willingness in her own life - in her own institutions, in the style of life practiced by her members - to knock down every wall of separation, especially poverty. Both prayer and action are necessary. Let us pray intensely to the Lord, that He might shake us up, in order to make of our Christian families, heroes of a revolution of family closeness, something that is so necessary now! Such family closeness has always been essential to the creation of the Church. Let us not forget that the judgement of those in need, of the little ones and the poor anticipates God's judgement (Mt 25:31-46). Let us not forget this and let us do everything we can to help families to continue facing the trials of poverty and of suffering that affect their family ties. I want to re-read the Biblical text that we heard at the beginning of this Audience, and let's all think about families who are tested by suffering and by poverty. The Bible says: Son, do not deprive the poor of the necessities of life, be not insensible to their needs. Do not grieve the hungry, do not provoke those who are in need. Do not disturb a heart that is already exasperated, do not refuse any gift to someone in need. Do not dismiss the plea of the poor, do not take your eyes away from one who is destitute. Give what is asked for; do not turn your eyes away. Do not furnish any occasion to be cursed (Sir 4:1-5a). For this is what the Lord will do - the Bible says - if we do not do these things.
This catechesis was then summarized and repeated in various languages. The Holy Father also offered greetings to each of the groups of the faithful who were present. To English-speaking pilgrims, he said:
I greet the English speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, including those from Ireland, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Canada and the United States. I pray that your visit to Rome may strengthen your faith in the Lord. In a particular way I wish to express my closeness to the Chinese people in these difficult moments after the ferry disaster in the Yangtze River. I pray for the victims, their families and for all involved in the rescue efforts. Upon all of you and your loved ones, I invoke the Lord Jesus’ abundant blessings of peace and joy. May God bless you all!
In his speech, the Pope continued the cycle of catecheses on the family, focusing today on the problem of poverty in families.
After having presented syntheses of His teaching in various languages, the Holy Father addressed greetings to each of the groups of the faithful who were present.
The General Audience concluded with the chanting of the Pater Noster and the Apostolic Blessing.
Catechesis of His Holiness, Pope Francis
for the General Audience
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
On recent Wednesdays, we have reflected on the family and we continue with this theme, reflecting on the family. Beginning today, our catecheses open with a reflection on the considerations of vulnerability facing families who find themselves in living conditions that put them to the test. There are so many problems that they face.
One of these problems is poverty. We think of the many families who live on the outskirts of our mega-cities, but also in rural areas ... There is so much misery and degradation! Then, to make matters worse, in some places, war breaks out. War is always a terrible thing. It especially affects civilian populations and families. Truly, war is the mother of all poverty, war impoverishes families. It is a great predator of life, of souls and it affects the most sacred and cherished of values.
Despite all of this, there are many poor families who try to live with dignity in their daily lives, often openly trusting in the blessings of God. However, this lesson should not justify our indifference, but rather, it should increase our shame for the fact that there is so much poverty! It is almost a miracle that, even in poverty, the family continues to be formed and even to preserve - as only the family can - the humanity of its special ties. This fact irritates planners of good will who consider the affects, generations and family ties as secondary variables to the quality of life. They don't understand anything! Instead, we should kneel before such families, who are a true school of humanity that save our communities from barbarism.
What would remain if in fact we were to concede to the blackmail of Cesare and Mammon, of violence and money, and give up on family affections? A new civil ethic will only be achieved when those responsible for public life reorganize the social ties and stop fighting the destructive spiral between families and poverty, a fight that leads deeper and deeper into an abyss.
Today, the economy is often focused on individual enjoyment and well-being, but this is a practice that exploits family ties. It is a serious contradiction! The immense amount of work that is accomplished by families is not listed on any balance sheet, naturally! In fact, economics and politics are stingy about rewards of this sort. Yet, the interior formation of a person and the social development of affections find their source precisely in the strength of the family. If we are able to understand this truth, everything else will be better.
It is not merely a question of bread. We must also speak of work, of instruction, of health. It is important to understand this well. We are always deeply emotional when we see images of malnourished and sick children who are found in so many parts of the world. At the same time, we are also moved by the looks in the eyes of so many children who are deprived of everything, children who are in very rudimentary schools that appear to be made of nothing, when they proudly display their pencils and their notebooks. And the way they look - with such love - at their teacher! Truly, children know that man cannot live on bread alone! The effect of the family is also necessary, when there is suffering, children suffer because they want love, the love that binds a family together.
We Christians should always strive to be close to families who are tried by poverty. Just think, all of you know someone: a father who is unemployed, a mother who is out of work ... and the family suffers, the ties are weakened. This is horrible. In fact, social suffering has a deep impact on the family; it sometimes even destroys it. The lack of or the loss of a job, or its precariousness carry serious consequences for the family; relationships can be sorely tried. The living conditions in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, including housing and transportation problems, as well as reductions in social services, sanitation, schooling ... end up causing further difficulties. To these material factors is also added the damage to families that is caused by pseudo-models diffused by the mass media and based on cosumerism and the cult of appearance, which influences the poorest sectors of society and adds to the degradation of family ties. Care for families, care for them with affection when suffering puts families to the test!
The Church is a mother, and should never forget her children's sufferings. Even she should be poor in order to be fruitful and to respond to such suffering. A poor Church is a Church that practices simple willingness in her own life - in her own institutions, in the style of life practiced by her members - to knock down every wall of separation, especially poverty. Both prayer and action are necessary. Let us pray intensely to the Lord, that He might shake us up, in order to make of our Christian families, heroes of a revolution of family closeness, something that is so necessary now! Such family closeness has always been essential to the creation of the Church. Let us not forget that the judgement of those in need, of the little ones and the poor anticipates God's judgement (Mt 25:31-46). Let us not forget this and let us do everything we can to help families to continue facing the trials of poverty and of suffering that affect their family ties. I want to re-read the Biblical text that we heard at the beginning of this Audience, and let's all think about families who are tested by suffering and by poverty. The Bible says: Son, do not deprive the poor of the necessities of life, be not insensible to their needs. Do not grieve the hungry, do not provoke those who are in need. Do not disturb a heart that is already exasperated, do not refuse any gift to someone in need. Do not dismiss the plea of the poor, do not take your eyes away from one who is destitute. Give what is asked for; do not turn your eyes away. Do not furnish any occasion to be cursed (Sir 4:1-5a). For this is what the Lord will do - the Bible says - if we do not do these things.
This catechesis was then summarized and repeated in various languages. The Holy Father also offered greetings to each of the groups of the faithful who were present. To English-speaking pilgrims, he said:
I greet the English speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, including those from Ireland, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Canada and the United States. I pray that your visit to Rome may strengthen your faith in the Lord. In a particular way I wish to express my closeness to the Chinese people in these difficult moments after the ferry disaster in the Yangtze River. I pray for the victims, their families and for all involved in the rescue efforts. Upon all of you and your loved ones, I invoke the Lord Jesus’ abundant blessings of peace and joy. May God bless you all!
No comments:
Post a Comment