杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

The Church is celebrating the in the runup to the World Meeting of Families set for 26 June 2022.

As part of that event, and in the midst of the Christmas Season, across the globe on Sunday.

The 杏MAP导航 first expressed his desire that families feel his 鈥渁ffection and closeness at this very special time,鈥� which has been marked by the Covid-19 pandemic and recurring lockdowns.

God鈥檚 unconditional love for couples

杏MAP导航 Francis focused his letter to couples on the constant presence of Jesus in the day-to-day situations of family life. 

He said all couples have set out on a journey鈥攍ike Abraham鈥攁s they leave their parents鈥� home and build a new life together in matrimony.

Yet, he added, our Christian faith reminds us that we are not alone in the challenges of married life, since Jesus is present as time passes, children are born and grow up, and work and illness ebb and flow.

Married couples 鈥渟et out towards the land that God promises: to be two in Christ, two in one,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淵our lives become a single life; you become a 鈥榳e鈥� in loving communion with Jesus, alive and present at every moment of your existence.鈥�

Children thirsting for a sign of God鈥檚 love

The Holy Father then turned his thoughts to couples with children. He urged parents to live Christ鈥檚 love in every interaction, since children are always paying attention and soaking up everything.

The 杏MAP导航 admitted that raising children is no easy task, but that children also 鈥渞aise鈥� their parents, helping them grow in authority that gives children a sense of security and confidence.

Jesus always in our storm-rocked boat

杏MAP导航 Francis also urged couples to be active members in their parishes, assisting the Church in her mission of accompanying other families less aware of God鈥檚 presence.

鈥淵ou have the mission of transforming society by your presence in the workplace and ensuring that the needs of families are taken into due account,鈥� he added.

He called marriage a vocation and likened it to a boat on a sometimes-story sea. Jesus, said the 杏MAP导航, is always either in the boat to calm the sea or walking nearby and awaiting our invitation to climb aboard.

Marriage 鈥榬efuge in pandemic storms鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 went on to reflect on the difficulties and opportunities facing families during the pandemic.

He said recurring lockdowns have forced many families to work, study, recreate, and rest in the same house, a situation he said may be difficult at times.

鈥淭he time you spend together, far from being a penance, will be become a refuge amid the storms,鈥� he said. 鈥淢ay every family be a place of acceptance and understanding.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis also recalled his invitation to say 鈥減lease, thanks, sorry鈥�, while avoiding going to bed without making peace.

Couples, added the 杏MAP导航, can also kneel together before the Eucharist and say a small prayer each evening.

The Holy Father noted that some couples have found the pandemic unbearable and sought separation, a situation he lamented as causing great pain to children. But he assured separated couples of his 鈥渃loseness and affection鈥�.

Creative courage and a smile

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged couples preparing for marriage to have 鈥渃reative courage鈥� as they make the more-difficult-than-ever journey toward married life.

And he sent a word of greeting to grandparents, many of whom have felt more alone during lockdowns, and called them 鈥渉umanity鈥檚 living memory.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 wrapped up his letter to married couples with an encouragement to always live their vocation with a smile and enthusiasm, never letting their faces 鈥済row sad or gloomy鈥�.