(-VIDEO ONLY-) In his weekly catechesis, Pope Francis talked about raising children and keeping the promise of loving them. He emphasized the importance of fostering a 'mysterious relationship by leaving room for God in their young lives.'
When this promise is broken, said the Pope, a 'scandal' follows. The Church, he added, also makes promises to children through Baptism.
SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS:
Dear Brothers and Sisters
In our catechesis on the family, we now consider the promises we make to our children by bringing them into the world. The greatest of these is love; every child trusts that he or she will be loved and cared for.
When that promise is broken, the result is a 'scandalâ? which Jesus condemns, telling us that their angels in heaven stand in Godâ??s presence (cf. Mt 18:10). The Church too, in Baptism, makes promises to our children, promises to be kept by parents and the Christian community as a whole. In experiencing human love, each child comes to sense the presence of a God who loves children.
It is important for us to foster this mysterious relationship by leaving room for God in their young lives. Parents, in and through the love they show for their children, help them to appreciate their identity and uniqueness as sons and daughters of God.
Jesus taught us to become like little children; in protecting our children, and protecting the family, may we keep the great promise which God has given to us in them, and through them, to our human family.
Speaker: I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in todayâ??s Audience, including those from England, Scotland, Ireland, Norway, the Netherlands, Australia, Papua New Guinea, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Canada and the United States of America. I ask you to pray for the Synod on the Family, and to be witnesses of Godâ??s presence in the world through your family life. God bless you all!
