“Christian marriages enliven society by their witness of fraternity, their social concern, their outspokenness on behalf of the underprivileged, their luminous faith, and their active hope” (Amoris Laetitia 184). Thus, in his post-synodal exhortation Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis recalls the ultimate desire of Jesus, who was about to undergo his Passion.
It is a sort of spiritual testament addressed to humanity and entrusted, in particular, to married persons: “that they may all be one… so that the world may believe…” (cf. Jn 17:21). It is, above all, a challenge that involves effort and sacrifice: weaving harmony between the various members of society and respecting diversity. Reciprocal love between man and woman is the basis of the marriage union and acts as a leaven for building communion among people.
This is the most fruitful “cradle” where parents can raise their children, educating them in the art of fraternal forgiveness, and the reforging of bonds and solidarity with the poorest. Thus, fraternity among peoples finds in the family a method and a model. And married people, in their extraordinary normalcy, make the Gospel alive today and make the Church more beautiful.
