Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
September 19, 2001
Church: family called to image life, love of Trinity
Owens declares Nov. 4-10 `Celebration of Families Week'
By Steve Weidenkopf
Twenty years ago Pope John Paul II issued the apostolic exhortation "Familiaris Consortio." The Holy Father exhorted the family to "become what you are" (cf. FC 17). And what precisely is the family? In modern American society the answer seems problematic. Most families portrayed in the media are dens of abuse, neglect and selfishness. Are these portrayals accurate? Is this what the family is called to become?
The "Catechism of the Catholic Church" defines the family as "a man and a woman united in marriage, together with their children" (2203). The catechism goes on to state that "this institution is prior to any recognition by public authority, which has an obligation to recognize it." Recently, the government of Colorado has done just that. Gov. Bill Owens has proclaimed Nov. 4-10 as "Celebration of Families Week." This proclamation, among other things, recognizes the importance of the family as the "foundation of our society in Colorado." The governor should be commended for taking such a bold step and for recognizing the true value of the family.
In the beginning, God created man, male and female, and he created the family (cf. Gen. 1:27-28). He chose that the union of a man and woman in marriage should be the foundation through which he communicates new life into the world. This communion of husband and wife, which is free, total, faithful and life-giving, is a community of persons that has the "mission to guard, reveal and communicate love" (FC 17).
However, the question raised above remains, what is the family called to become? The answer can be found by reflecting on the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus, as God, could have chosen to enter humanity in any manner, perhaps on a cloud of glory with shouts of trumpets and myriads of angels. But he chose to come into the world through a family. This fundamental fact of our faith should lead us to serious meditation on the importance of the family.
To "become what it is" the family is to image the very life of God, who is a loving, life-giving community of persons. Love is the expression of one's gift of oneself to another. This then is truly the call of the family. The family is called to love: to love each member, to love members of society, to love God. The family is called to a high standard. It is given a divine mandate. Nevertheless, the family cannot become what it is on its own. The family requires the grace of God.
If this proclamation is to be anything other than a nice sentiment from secular authority, Catholic families of Northern Colorado should reflect on how they can celebrate their existence during this week. Their cue should come from the Holy Father's apostolic letter, "Novo Millennio Ineunte." Pope John Paul II presents a vision for the Church to follow in the new millennium. As the "domestic Church" the family must model this vision.
First and most important, the family is to be evangelists of Christ: "The men and women of our own day - often perhaps unconsciously - ask believers not only to `speak' of Christ, but in a certain sense to `show' him to them" (NMI 16). Therefore, the family is to radiate Christ to others.
Secondly, the family is called to live a life of holiness and prayer and when they fail to love as they should, the Lord meets them and transforms them in the sacrament of reconciliation.
Lastly, the Holy Father exhorts the Church to become the "home and school of communion." This, perhaps, is the area in which the family can play its most significant role. The family by its nature is a communion of people. It is in the family that we learn to be united to each other, to see the good in each other and to be unselfish. If the family "becomes what it is" then the world can truly become a civilization of love.
To celebrate your family and "become what you are," here are a few suggestions to follow the week of Nov. 4-10 and throughout the year:
l Attend daily Mass
l Pray the rosary
l Read/discuss the section on the family in the catechism (2201 - 2246)
l Turn the TV off every night and eat meals together
l Thank God for the gift of your family
l Look through family photo albums and tell family stories
l Research your family history
l Call/visit a grandparent or relative
l Play a game
l Take a family portrait
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