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.