Pope Francis has begun to speak about celebration in his path of reflection on the three dimensions that mark the rhythm of family life: celebration, work and prayer. Celebrations―he said, as he began the catechesis in the Paul VI Hall―is an invention of God, "who teaches us the importance of devoting time to contemplation and to enjoy the fruits of our work. I mean work, of course, not only in the sense of a job and a profession, but in the broadest sense: every action with which we men and women can collaborate in God's creative work."
"A celebration may come in difficult and painful circumstances, and then we perhaps celebrate 'with the lump in the throat.' And yet―he said―even in those cases, we ask God for the strength not to empty it completely. You moms and dads you know this: how many times, for the sake of your children, you are able to swallow sorrows in order to allow them to enjoy a celebration, so that they may taste life's goodness! There is so much love in this!"
If the time of celebration "is sacred―said the Pope―, this is because God dwells there in a special way. Now, "the family has an extraordinary capacity for understanding, guiding and sustaining the true value of the time of celebration. Family celebrations are so good! They are beautiful! and especially on Sundays. It is no coincidence that the celebrations where there is room for the whole family are more successful!"
The Pope added that "family life, seen through the eyes of faith, seems better than the efforts it costs. It seems to be a masterpiece of simplicity, beautiful precisely because it is not artificial, not fake, but able to insert itself into all the aspects of real life. It appears to us as something 'very good,' as God said after creating man and woman. Furthermore, celebration―said the Pope―is a precious gift from God, a precious gift that God gave to the human family: let's not ruin it!"
