Learn to listen to each other even when you don’t understand each other. Pope Francis explains that the family of Nazareth is a model not because it is perfect, but because it knows how to dialogue. And even when Jesus remains in the temple, at 12 years old, and his parents look for him with apprehension, this becomes a model for today’s families. «The evangelist Luke reveals the state of mind of Mary who asks Jesus: “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I, anguished, were looking for you.” And Jesus answers her: “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?”. This is an experience, underlines Francesco, «I would say almost usual for a family that alternates quiet moments with dramatic ones. It seems like the story of a family crisis, a crisis of our times, of a difficult teenager and two parents who can’t understand him. Let’s stop and look at this family. Do you know why the Holy Family of Nazareth is a model? Because it is a family that talks, that listens to each other, that talks. Dialogue is the most important element for a family! A family that doesn’t communicate cannot be a happy family.”
It is beautiful, however, «when a mother does not begin with a reproach, but with a question. Mary does not accuse or judge, but tries to understand how to welcome this very different Son through listening. Despite this effort, the Gospel says that Mary and Joseph “did not understand what he had said to them”, demonstrating that in the family it is more important to listen than to understand. In the family it is more important to listen than to understand. Listening means giving importance to the other, recognizing their right to exist and think independently. Children need this. Think carefully, you parents: listen to your children, they have needs.”
A privileged moment for listening is during meals, suggests the Pontiff. «This», he underlines, «can solve many problems, and above all unites generations: children who talk to their parents, grandchildren who talk to their grandparents… But remaining closed in on yourself or, even worse, with your head on your cell phone , this is not right. Never never, . Talking, listening to each other, this is the dialogue that is good for you and helps you grow! The Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is holy. Yet we have seen that even Jesus’ parents did not always understand him. We can reflect on this, and let’s not be surprised if sometimes in our family we don’t understand each other. When this happens to us, let’s ask ourselves: have we listened to each other? Do we face problems by listening to each other or do we close ourselves off in silence, sometimes in resentment, in pride? Shall we take some time to talk? What we can learn from the Holy Family today is listening to each other.”
He greets with particular affection the families present and those following home, because “the family is the cell of society, a precious treasure to be supported and protected”. But his thoughts also go to the families of South Korea for the loss that struck them with the plane crash and to all the families living in war contexts, from Ukraine to Palestine, Israel, North Kivu… for whom he continues to pray and ask for peace.
