杏MAP导航

By Francesca Merlo

Adressing the faithful gathered in St Peter鈥檚 Square for the Sunday Angelus, 杏MAP导航 Francis explained that the Holy Family of Nazareth is made holy through 鈥渁 gift of God鈥�, and at the same time, because of their 鈥渇ree and responsible adherence to his plan鈥�. The family of Nazareth, he explained 鈥渨as open to God鈥檚 will鈥�.

Looking at the Holy Family, 杏MAP导航 Francis began by analysing Mary, describing her 鈥渄ocility鈥� at the action of the Holy Spirit. 鈥淗ow can one not remain amazed by it?鈥� he asked.  

Mary

Mary, like so many young women, was 鈥渁bout to solidify her plan for her life through a profound communion with her spouse鈥�, he explained. However, when she became aware of the mission to which God was calling her, 鈥渟he did not hesitate to proclaim herself 鈥榮ervant鈥欌��.

Joseph

Turning then to the figure of Joseph, 鈥渢he Gospel does not report a single word鈥� on him, said the 杏MAP导航. Joseph "does not speak, but obeys through is actions鈥�. 杏MAP导航 Francis used the 鈥渄elicate moment鈥� in which he wanted to secretly send Mary away because she was pregnant as an example. 鈥淗is choice鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航, was made so as not to be 鈥渁n obstacle in God鈥檚 plan鈥�, and so as to 鈥渁llow Mary to be free to adhere to the divine will鈥�.

Jesus

Finally, the 杏MAP导航 looks at Jesus, the third member of the Holy Family of Nazareth. He is the 鈥渨ill of the Father鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航. St Paul says that in Him there was not a 鈥測es鈥� and a 鈥渘o鈥�, but only a 鈥測es鈥�. This, continued the 杏MAP导航, manifested itself 鈥渋n so many moments during His early life鈥�:

鈥淭he episode in the temple when, to his parents who searched anxiously for him, he responded: 鈥淒id you not know that I had to be about my Father鈥檚 business?鈥� (Lk 2,49); He repeated continually: 鈥淢y food is to do the will of Him who sent me鈥� (Jn 4,34); His prayer in the Garden of Olives: 鈥淢y Father, if this chalice cannot be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done鈥� (Mt 26,42).鈥�

All these events, said the 杏MAP导航, are the 鈥減erfect realisation of these words of Christ, who said: Sacrifice or offering you did not desire [鈥�]. Then I said: 鈥楤ehold, I come [鈥�] to do your will, Oh God鈥�.鈥�

A family

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his address by saying that this Family represents a 鈥渃horal response鈥� to the will of the Father. The three components helped each other endlessly to 鈥渄iscover and fulfil God鈥檚 plan鈥�.

The 杏MAP导航 prayed that the family be a model, so that parents and children might mutually sustain each other in adhering to the Gospel, 鈥渢he foundation of the holiness in the family鈥�.