As I have been doing since my return in October, I joined the student community of Don Rua for mass this morning. The number of student priests was low since most have been away helping in parishes for the Christmas holidays. An outgoing provincial from Argentina was main celebrant… and of course the theme was the Holy Family of Nazareth.
In the last few years, the Rector Major has been stressing evangelization of youth through working with the family. This theme is vital as never before because of the difficulties that so many families face today.
Another aspect, however, is that the Church is called to image family by how it forms community. And community is not something that is inward looking as much as inward supportive so that all members can be outward looking.
Pascual Chávez has been very clear on this. He has told us that the image of family for the Salesian Family is not the Holy Family of Nazareth but the family of apostles gathered around Jesus in his mission of preaching and teaching and healing. In this sense, we need to be a Family on the Move… to be the core of a vast movement that brings the good news of Christ to the young, especially to those who are poorest and most in need. Therefore, the family in the Salesian world must become authentic as a gathering place where faith is strengthened, were hope becomes fruitful, and where love comes alive.
Rain continued today… it was dark and gloomy… and this allowed greater reflection really. Nice day all in all.
No comments:
Post a Comment