The family is the first and vital cell of human society. This fact is known to each one of us. However, we often forget that the family is an integral part of the divine plan of God. The family is established by God. He (Triune God) too lives in the family. He greatly honours the family from the time of creation. He created Adam and Eve so that they could in a family (Gen 2). God did not stop over there. He decided to redeem the world with the help of family. Christ, the Redeemer was born in the family of Nazareth.
We do not get family unless there is a contract between a man and women. We call it marriage. It is recognised by every culture and religion. Most of the religions look at marriage a contract but Christ has elevated this union and their intimate partnership of love and life to the dignity of Sacrament. He has done it so effectively that it embodies the mystical pact of love between Christ and the Church (cfr. GS 48). Hence, a Christian family is originated in the marriage.
A good reason, therefore, Vatican II and later St. John Paul II described the family as a “domestic church” (LG 11; cfr. AA 11), showing with such teaching as peculiar role, the family has to carry out in the entire plan of salvation and how challenging it is, therefore, the duty which requires family members especially the parents have on their shoulder to implement it.
It should not, therefore, be surprising that the church, always concerned over the course of the centuries the family and its problems, having now increased both the means to promote the family as the dangers of all kinds which threaten it. They are becoming far more dangerous than we can imagine. The Church has been combating with the evil that is destroying the structures of family. Pope Pius XII paid attention to it through his Radio message 1950’s. Later popes too showed their concerns. The question will arise in your mind why did the previous popes were not so much concerned about the families. The simple reason is that people valued their family life. There was no need to emphasize on the family life. People appreciated their joint families. The elders were respected. The children learned from their own family. Family problems were resolved in the family itself. The new age has brought new elements and new values. This age promotes nuclear families. Man is caught in a vicious circle that he doesn’t have time to pay attention to his family life.
Pope John XIII read the signs of time and convoked the Ecumenical council which paved way for us in the modern world with special reference to Gaudium et Spes. Pope Paul VI fulfilled the vision of the council was realised in the church. He formed a special committee on January 11, 1973, for the Family. This committee studied the spiritual, moral and social problems of the family. It formed the pastoral vision. St. Pope John Paul II began his pontificate by convoking general assembly of the synod of a bishop in 1979. He gave us the concise teaching of the church on the family in his apostolic exhortation Familiaris consortio (FC) in 1981. He formed the Pontifical Council for the Family 1983. The Council is responsible for the promotion of the pastoral ministry and apostolate to the family. It also promotes and coordinates pastoral efforts related to the issue of responsible procreation, and encourages, sustains and coordinates initiatives in defence of human life in all stages of its existence, from conception to natural death.
He started the world family meets after every three years. There has been 8 world meets so far taken place. The recent one was planned in Sept 2015 in Philadephia, USA. Pope Benedict continued the same emphasis on the family in his doctrinal teaching. Pope Francis is no exception to what has been happening in the last 50 years. He too has begun his pontificate with special emphasis on the family. He completed his special catechesis on the family in the last month. He spent 6 months over the issues of family. He convoked extra-ordinary synod (which is the only 3rd of its kind in the history of the church). The ordinary synod took place in Oct 2015 in which Pope Francis asked each of us to pay more attention to our families. Pope Francis announced on 22nd Oct. 2015 to the Synod on the Family that he has chosen to establish a new office in the Roman Curia that will deal with issues of the laity, family and life. This move is seen as a ray of hope to consolidate efforts to channelize complete energy in strengthening the families which is the basic fabric of the society and the church.
I have reflected together with you in this article the importance of family in the life of the church. This reflection reveals that the Church has worked vigorously on the topic of family in recent years. The Church knows how important the family is in the life of the Church and society. If we are the Church then what efforts have we put in to recognise the importance of family in our day to day life? Can we relook at our family life and take a proper step to strengthen our family bonds? Let the efforts of the Universal church help us to get motivated in our own families. May the Holy Family of Nazareth bless our families. Amen.
