Lesson of the Week: The School of Love

Fr. Albertus Herwanta, O.Carm

"The family, as Pope John XXIII eloquently put it, is the first essential cell of human society." The Catholic Church, recognizing this fundamental truth, places a special emphasis on married life and family. The Second Vatican Council even goes as far as to call the family the domestic Church (Lumen Gentium #11). This recognition of the family's pivotal role in society is a testament to its importance. What can we learn about the teaching of the Church on marriage and family?

On November 22, 1981, Pope John Paul II wrote an apostolic exhortation, "Familiaris Consortio" (FC), in which he refers to marriage as "one of the most precious and most urgent tasks of Christian couples in our time (FC #20). He underlines that the family should make love flourish because love is the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being (FC #11).

Pope Francis teaches us about married couples in his 2016 post-synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia (AL). He states, "Married couples joined by love speak well to each other; they try to show their spouse's good side, not their weaknesses and faults. In any event, they keep silent rather than speak ill of them. This is not merely a way of acting in front of others; it springs from an interior attitude" (AL #113).

Both popes underline the vital role of love in family life. It is true that family is a school of love. How could the family learn about love? Most of us know that, because of some concerns, living out love in a family is very challenging in this present era.

First, sharing is increasingly difficult in this individualistic society. How can family members grow in love if they are not ready to share? Second, the instant culture hunger to get results quickly and makes people lose patience. We know that educating children requires love and patience. People cannot see the results immediately.

Third, a lack of spirit of sacrifice seems to create many comfort zones, which affect the way to love. Love is sacrifice. Without sacrifice, it is difficult for people to grow in love. Where do we learn to face all the challenges?

The Holy Family of Nazareth, consisting of Saint Joseph and Mother Mary, provides much inspiration and important lessons. Saint Joseph and Mother Mary show authentic examples of the role of parents. Saint Joseph was a faithful, wise, and humble person, a father ready to sacrifice for his wife and children. The Virgin Mary, who humbly obeyed to carry out God's word, became a model of a mother. She accompanied Jesus in his growth until the time came for him to appear in public. Their lives serve as a beacon of hope, showing us that it is possible to build a family as a school of love.

Saint Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary are models for parents who make the family a school of love. They show their love for Jesus with concrete actions, not words. As every school examines, so does the family as a school of love. All its members are tested to continue to grow in love. Do we learn from Saint Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary how to build the family as a school of love? (*)