2013-12-30 15:52:07

Pope remembers families, refugees, migrants on the feast of Holy Family


December 30, 2013 - While holding out the Holy Family as a model of every family, Pope Francis on Sunday also recalled the hardships that refugee and migrant families face as they seek shelter in another country. Speaking to a vast crowd that had gathered in St. Peter’s Square in Rome for his weekly midday ‘Angelus prayer, the Pope commented on day’s feast of the Holy Family, which Mathew’s Gospel marks with the account of its flight into Egypt. “Joseph, Mary and Jesus experience the tragic fate of refugees, full of fear, uncertainty, and discomfort,” the Pope noted, saying “today millions of families can identify with this sad reality.” He pointed to news reports about “refugees fleeing hunger, war, and other serious dangers - in search of security and a decent life for themselves and their families." "In distant lands, even when they find work, refugees and immigrants do not always receive real welcome, or find respect and appreciation for the values ​​ they carry. Their legitimate expectations clash with complex situations and problems that at times seem insurmountable. Looking at the Holy Family of Nazareth seeking refuge, the Pope invited Christians to think about the tragedy of those migrants and refugees who are victims of rejection and exploitation, of human trafficking and slavery. In addition to refugees, the Pope also drew attention to what he described as the “hidden exiled” within families,” such as the elderly who are regarded as a burden, and said the quality of a family depends on how it treats its children and elderly. The Pope said the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt shows us that God is where man is in danger, where man suffers, where he escapes, where he experiences rejection and neglect. But he is also where man dreams, hopes to return to his homeland in freedom, plans and chooses for his life and dignity and that of his family."
Setting aside his prepared text for a moment, Pope Francis offered three expressions as key to true happiness in families: namely, 'Excuse me”, “Thank you” and “Sorry.' He explained that when we do not want to be ‘invasive’ in our family, we say, 'Excuse me!' When we are not selfish, we say 'Thank you,' and when we make a mistake, we say 'Sorry!' He made the crowd repeat the three expressions, which was met with a hearty round of applause.








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