Living the Faith as a Family

(23 Apr 09 -RV) On Thursday Pope Benedict celebrated early morning mass with the organising committee of World Meeting of Families, that took place January last in Mexico City.


85 members of the committee where accompanied by Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera Mexico City to the Redemptoris Mater Chapel in the Apostolic Palace.

There the Holy Father expressed his heartfelt thanks to the men and women for their dedication to the World Meeting, that drew countless families and organisations together from across the globe.

Then reflecting on a passage from the gospel according to John “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life”, Pope Benedict touched on the theme of obedience to God’s commands, in the light of marriage and the family.

He told the men and women before him that obedience to God is not simple subjection or the carrying out God’s will, instead true obedience is born of an intimate communion with the Lord.

Christian families in their domestic life, through their day to day sharing of hopes, joys and worries, by living in the light of their faith are examples of such obedience and how it renders us truly free.

Pope Benedict said those who have lived long marriages, following God’s plan down through the years of their union, are proof of God’s goodness that helps and nourishes us.
In the Eucharist, concluded the Holy Father, Christ is truely present, he is the bread that gives us strength to face the trials and fatigue of our journey. He is by our side.