12 Nov 2007 | Non categorizzato
Beyond the legal framework within which we live, love is the highest measure of justice, and resolves problems that appear to have no solution. As a lawyer, I often have to use my professional skills in the service of others, while offering as much love as possible. This way of understanding and of carrying out my job often produces a deep change in others. One day a lady phoned me, because her daughter had decided, after an argument, to separate from her husband. Her partner had found a lawyer who within 24 hours had prepared all the documentation for a legal separation; it only needed the wife’s signature. The lady was worried and asked me if I could help. She knew that the young couple’s action was a result of momentary anger, and didn’t want this to ruin their future. Without a mandate from either partner, I couldn’t intervene. The lady asked me, however, to see her daughter, who she would send to me with the excuse of seeking advice from a lawyer. I listened for a long time to the young wife, and realised that the marriage could be saved. They really had acted on impulse without thinking of the consequences, and one signature on the petition would probably mean the end of their relationship. At the end of the conversation the woman asked me to represent her. So I phoned the colleague who had prepared the petition. I told him that before finalising a separation I usually try to find out the reasons for the crisis in the marriage, and that 24 hours were not enough. I got him to send the draft of the petition. After a few days I called the woman. She replied that both she and he husband had had second thoughts and had decided not to go ahead. Recently I heard that they now have two beautiful children. (F.C.)
6 Nov 2007 | Non categorizzato
Dear New Families! With great joy I celebrate with you the fortieth anniversary of the foundation of our New Families Movement. I still remember all the enthusiasm, ardour, and passion I had in my heart on that distant July 19, 1967, when speaking to no more than a hundred married focolarini, I felt the need to give life to a Movement for the whole world of families. Over these forty years we have seen the development and fruits of New Families, and we can understand even more clearly the reason for that particular impulse of the Holy Spirit. In fact it was a very demanding initiative. Not only because the family, primary cell of society, is enormously important for the building of a world of values and of peace, but because God’s plan for the family is modelled after his own life, the life of the Most Holy Trinity. God’s plan for the family is indeed daring and very beautiful, but it is also demanding, especially today. Consider for a moment the way contemporary culture views a stable family and marital fidelity. You, New Families, exist precisely in order to be witnesses in this world, witnesses of unity, of lasting love, of the Gospel put into practice. In doing so you will not only be happy, but you will continue to attract many hearts to love, to the point of accomplishing, with the whole Focolare Movement, universal fraternity. I am with you always with great affection and I entrust each one of your families to Mary, Seat of Wisdom and a mother at home. Chiara
![To respond to the complex situations of families today, “The secret is to really live the Gospel!”]()
6 Nov 2007 | Non categorizzato
“Given the many social economic cultural and religious challenges in contemporary society all over the world, your work, truly providential, is a sign of hope and an encouragement for Christian Families to be a privileged “space”, where the beauty of having Jesus Christ at the centre, and following the Gospel faithfully, is proclaimed in everyday life”. These were the words of Pope Benedict XVI addressed to the 400 representatives of the New Families Movement, received in audience by him on November 3, 2007.
This is the family “built on the rock”, that chooses to transform the gospel into action, in the spirit of the meeting organised by New Families from November 1 to 6. “The secret is to really live the Gospel”, the Pope said, at a time when families often live in “difficult and complex situations”. “I am thinking”, said Benedict XVI, “of the uncertainty of fiancés when faced with definitive choices for the future, the crises of couples, the separations and divorces, irregular unions, the situation of widows, of families in difficulty, the acceptance of abandoned children”. The Pope began by sending his greetings to Chiara Lubich, thanking her, “because with wisdom and firm adhesion to the Church, she continues to guide the great Focolare family”. During the afternoon, the families gathered at the meeting hall in Castelgandolfo (Rome) celebrated their 40th anniversary via internet with the New Families of the whole world. They were moved to hear again the words pronounced by Chiara Lubich in 1967, who foresaw the birth of a huge movement for families. And it was Chiara once more with a new message who filled them with enthusiasm for their task today and their future commitment. “After the passage of forty years, and seeing the development and the fruits of New Families, the reason for that special impulse of the Holy Spirit is becoming clear”, she says. “It was a very weighty sign, not just because the family, as the primary cell of society, has an enormous importance for building a world of values and peace, but because God has modelled it on His own life, the life of the Holy Trinity”. The family has a beautiful, urgent, and at the same time demanding purpose, especially today. Chiara’s desire for the New Families is that they be “in this world witnesses of unity, of lasting love, of the Gospel lived”. “You will continue to attract many hearts to love, to the point of bringing about, with the whole Focolare movement, universal fraternity”. Afterwards, during the two hour transmission via internet, there was a deep sharing of experiences of family life, and of responses to the challenges of family life over the last 40 years, demonstrated by many practical projects of varying size and scope: from courses for engaged couples to schools for families, and the support at a distance of numerous international adoptions. For more information: www.famiglienuove.info
31 Oct 2007 | Non categorizzato, Word of
For the people of Israel, the journey of forty years in the desert was a period of trial and of grace. God purified their hearts and showed them his immense love.
When this people was about to enter the promised land, Moses recalled the experience they had lived. In a particular way, he reminded them of the greatest gift they had received together, the law of God, summed up in the Ten Commandments, and he invited them all to put the law into practice.
While he was delivering the instructions of God to them, Moses was deeply struck at the way God had drawn close to his people, had taken care of them, and had taught them rules for living filled with wisdom, and he exclaimed:
“What great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law…?”
God has written his law in the heart of every person and has spoken to all peoples in diverse ways and at different times. All people can rejoice for the love that he has shown to each one of them. But it is not always easy to grasp God’s plan for humanity. This is why God chose a small nation, the people of Israel, to reveal his plan more clearly. Finally, he sent his Son, Jesus, who revealed the face of God in its fullness by showing him as Love and by condensing his law into the single commandment of love for God and for one’s neighbor.
The greatness of a people and of every single person is expressed in giving their assent to the law of God with their own personal “yes.”
This assent to God’s law does not lock us into an artificial superstructure or, even less, into alienation from ourselves; it does not mean resignation on our part to a lot that is more or less good, nor to submit to a certain fate, as if to say: it was ordained to be so, so it must be, it’s inevitable.
No, it is the best thing that we can imagine for ourselves. It means to collaborate in bringing about the remarkable plan that God has for each one of us and for all humanity: to make us all one family, united in love, and to bring us to live his same divine life.
So then we too can exclaim, as Moses did:
“What great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law…?”
How should we live this Word of Life throughout the month?
By going to the heart of the divine law that Jesus synthesized into the single precept of love.
If we review the Ten Commandments given to us by God in the Old Testament, we can see that by truly loving God and neighbor, we can observe them all and to perfection.
Is it not true that those who love God refuse to let any other gods enter their hearts?
Is it not true that those who love God speak his name with reverence and never in vain?
Is it not true that those who love God are happy to dedicate at least one day a week to the One they love the most?
Is it not true that those who love each neighbor cannot but love their own parents? Is it not clear that those who love other people do not set out to rob them, or to kill them, or to take advantage of them for their own gain, or to witness falsely against them?
Is it not true that such people’s hearts are already full and satisfied, and that they certainly do not covet goods or a spouse belonging to someone else?
This is how it is: whoever loves does not commit sin but observes all of God’s commandments.
I experienced this at various times during my travels, while in contact with different peoples and ethnic groups. I remember above all the strong impression that the Bangwa people of Fontem, Cameroon, made on me, when in 2000 they received in a new way the invitation to love.
During the day, every once in a while, let’s ask ourselves if our actions are shaped by love. If this is the case, our life will not be meaningless; it will be a contribution to the fulfillment of God’s plan for humanity.
Chiara Lubich
