Sunday, January 29, 2017

Amoris Laetitia - Par. 182



182.  No family can be fruitful if it sees itself as overly different or "set apart".  To avoid this risk, we should remember that Jesus' own family, so full of grace and wisdom, did not appear unusual or different from others.  That is why people found it hard to acknowledge Jesus' wisdom:  "Where did this man get all this?  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?"  (Mk 6:2-3).  "Is this not the carpenter's son?" (Mt 13:55).  These questions make it clear that theirs was an ordinary family, close to others, a normal part of the community.  Jesus did not grow up in a narrow and stifling relationship with Mary and Joseph, but readily interacted with the wider family, the relatives of his parents and their friends.  This explains how, on returning from Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph could imagine for a whole day that the twelve-year-old Jesus was somewhere in the caravan, listening to people's stories and sharing their concerns:  "Supposing him to be in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey" (LK 2:44).  Still, some Christian families, whether because of the language they use, the way they act or treat others, or their constant harping on the same two or three issues, end up being seen as remote and not really a part of the community.  Even their relative feel looked down upon or judged by them.

© LIBRERIA EDITRICE VATICANA.