Spanish Bishop invites you to live holiness in the family

The Spanish Raima Goyarrola, Bishop of Helsinki (Finland), reflects on a pastoral letter on the value of holiness in the family and the “urgent” need for marriages faithful to Christ.

The only bishop for the 20,000 Catholics of Finland stands out in his letter that Jesus “chose to be born and live in a family”, a truth that “illuminates us especially today, at a time when we urgently need families and marriages faithful to Christ, generous and open to life, willing to welcome the gift of children. ”

Regarding the council of Nicea, which this year is celebrated its 1,700 anniversary, it indicates that it was decisive to clarify our faith in the divinity of Jesus, but also his humanity: “Jesus inspires in us a deep confidence: He knows how difficult it can be human life. He has experienced injustice, suffering and human struggles. His humanity makes us feel close to him, someone who really understands us because he lived like us. ”

Holiness can be lived within the family

In this context, it exalts the value of family holiness and remarks that “God did not remain distant in his divine majesty, but wanted to be one of us, live in a family, experience daily life, serving others, studying, working and forming human relationships. ”

He insists that this message “is especially important for our families”, because Jesus shows us that the path to holiness “is not reserved only for those who depart from the world”, but that it can be lived within the family, “in the simplicity of everyday life.

The theologian, doctor, and member of Opus Dei, therefore invites “to live the love of God in our families, because it was in a family that Jesus himself chose to live and sanctify them.”

It emphasizes in particular the “respect that is due to parents, especially in their old age”, underlining the importance of family life “as a place of mutual care, unconditional respect and love.”

In a world that sometimes devalues ​​sacrifice and avoids commitment, “the Christian family is called to be a living testimony of fidelity and generosity,” he adds.

“We need more faithful marriages, more fathers and mothers who are not afraid to host the gift of children! We need more children in our families, because they strengthen the link between husbands and among the brothers, ”exclaims the bishop, especially addressing Finnish society.

Although he emphasizes that “children are the blessing of God for the whole society,” Mons. Goyarrola points out that “there are couples who, despite their wishes,” they don’t have them. To them, in particular, they express their support and invite them to “love each other to a greater extent and in a deeper way, and to find other dimensions of paternity, for example, through adoption or being“ more willing to serve those in need ”.

“Our holiness is not separated from our daily life”

He insists that “our holiness is not separated from our daily life” and that, just as Jesus grew in a family, “we are also called to grow in holiness through our family life, our work, our studies and our mutual service” .

“Each family is called to be a small ‘domestic church’, where Christ’s love is present and where children can grow in faith,” he emphasizes.

Finally, it refers to the Jubilee Year and recalls that Pope Francis invites us during this time to undertake the path of hope: “Hope is not simply an expectation of a better future, but a confidence in love and the presence of God in our lives, regardless of the challenges we face, ”he emphasizes.