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Educator of the Son of God

Blessed John Paul II's Catechesis
4 December 1996 - in Italian & Spanish

"1. Although occurring by the work of the Holy Spirit and a Virgin Mother, the birth of Jesus, like that of all human beings, went through the phases of conception, gestation and delivery. In addition, Mary's motherhood was not limited to the biological process of giving birth, but as it happens with every other mother, she also made an essential contribution to her son's growth and development.

A mother is not only a woman who gives birth to a child, but one who brings him up and teaches him; indeed, we might well say that, according to God's plan, the educational task is the natural extension of procreation.

Mary is the Theotókos, not only because she conceived and gave birth to the Son of God, but also because she accompanied him in his human growth.

2. We might think that, since Jesus possessed in himself the fullness of divinity, he had no need of teachers. But the mystery of the Incarnation reveals to us that the Son of God came into the world in a human condition similar to us in all things except sin (cf. Heb 4:15). As is the case with every human being, Jesus' growth, from infancy to adulthood (cf. Lk 2:40), also needed his parents' educational activity.

The Gospel of Luke, particularly attentive to the childhood period, says that at Nazareth Jesus was obedient to Joseph and Mary (cf. Lk 2:5 1). This dependence shows us that Jesus was receptive, open to the teaching of his mother and Joseph, who also carried out their task by virtue of the docility he constantly showed.

3. The special gifts which God had showered on Mary made her particularly suited to her task as mother and teacher. In the concrete circumstances of everyday life, Jesus could find in her a model to follow and imitate and an example of perfect love for God and for his brothers and sisters.

Along with Mary's motherly presence, Jesus could count on the paternal figure of Joseph, a just man (cf. Mt 1:19), who provided the necessary balance in the educational activity. Carrying out his role as father, Joseph co-operated with his wife in making the home in Nazareth an environment favourable to the growth and personal maturity of the Saviour of humanity. By later introducing him to the hard work of the carpenter, Joseph enabled Jesus to be involved in the world of work and social life.

4. The few elements that the Gospel offers do not allow us to know and fully appreciate the ways in which Mary taught her divine Son. Certainly she, together with Joseph, introduced Jesus to the rites and prescriptions of Moses, to prayer to the God of the Covenant by using the Psalms, to the history of the people of Israel centred on the Exodus from Egypt. From her and Joseph Jesus learned to attend the synagogue and to make the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover.

Looking at the results, we can certainly conclude that Mary's teaching was deep and effective, and found very fertile soil in Jesus' human psychology.

5. Mary's educational task with regard to such a unique son presents several special features in comparison with the role of other mothers. She only provided favourable conditions for the development of the potential and essential values for growth, already present in the Son. For example, the absence of any form of sin in Jesus demanded a constantly positive orientation from Mary, which excluded any form of corrective intervention. Furthermore, although it was his mother who introduced Jesus to the culture and traditions of the people of Israel, it was he, from the time of his finding in the temple, who would reveal his full awareness of being the Son of God, sent to spread the truth in the world and exclusively follow the Father's will. From being her Son's "teacher", Mary thus becomes the humble disciple of the divine Master to whom she had given birth.

The importance of the Virgin Mother's task remains: from his infancy to adulthood, she helped her Son Jesus to grow "in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man" (Lk 2:52), and to prepare for his mission.

Mary and Joseph can therefore be seen as models for all educators. They sustain them in the great difficulties that the family encounters today, and show them the way to their children's precise and effective formation.

Their educational experience is a sure reference point for Christian parents who are called, in ever more complex and difficult conditions, to devote themselves to the service of the integral development of their children's personality, so that they will live lives worthy of man and corresponding to God's plan."

 

After his Catechesis, Pope John Paul II greeted the pilgrims at the General Audience in numerous languages:

"Chers frères et soeurs, Je salue cordialement les personnes de langue française présentes ce matin. Chers amis, vivez avec Marie le temps de l'Avent, dans l'attente de l'avènement du Christ Sauveur. Que Dieu vous bénisse!

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I am pleased greet all the English-speaking visitors present at today's Audience, especially the pilgrims from Australia, Korea and the United States. Upon you and your families I cordially invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Liebe Schwestern und Brüder! Mit dieser Ermutigung an die Eltern begrüße ich Euch alle, die Ihr aus den Ländern deutscher Sprache nach Rom gekommen seid. Euch, Euren lieben Angehörigen daheim und allen, die mit uns über Radio Vatikan verbunden sind, wünsche ich Gottes Segen für ei-ne gesegnete Adventszeit und erteile Euch von Herzen den Apostolischen Segen.

Amadísimos hermanos y hermanas, saludo ahora con afecto a los peregrinos de lengua española. En particular a la Asociación sociocultural « El Tormes », de Salamanca, al grupo de la Tercera edad de Castilla y León, al Coro Lirain, de Vizcaya, así como a los cadetes de la Escuela Federal de Policía « Coronel Ramón Lorenzo Falcón » de Argentina. A todas la personas y grupos provenientes de España y América Latina, imparto de corazón la Bendición Apostólica. Muchas gracias.

Queridos Irmãos e Irmãs, Amados peregrinos do Brasil e demais pessoas de língua portuguesa, teve início, no domingo passado, urna preparação mais intensa e fervorosa para o grande Jubileu do Ano Dois Mil: quando parardes diante da Porta Santa, ainda fechada, pedi ao Porteiro Divino - que detém, em sua mão, a chave dos corações, das famílias e nações, dos dias, séculos e milénios - a coragem e a confiança, necessárias a cada um e à humanidade inteira, para abrirem a sua vida a Cristo Salvador. Penhor de benevolência divina e extensiva aos vossos queridos, dou-vos a minha Bênção.

***

Saluto tutti i Vescovi presenti e in special modo i Vescovi della Romania. Accolgo con gioia i pellegrini di lingua italiana, e saluto anzitutto il grande gruppo della parrocchia Maria Santissima Immacolata di Terzigno, diocesi di Nola, guidato dal Vescovo, Monsignor Umberto Tramma. Carissimi fedeli di Terzigno, vedo con piacere che l'intera vostra cittadina ha aderito con entusiasmo a questo pellegrinaggio, organizzato in occasione dei 250 anni della venerata effige dell'Immacolata. So quanto siete devoti di Maria, e molto volentieri benedico la corona e le stelle d'oro destinate a decorarla. Possiate essere sempre voi stessi, carissimi, il più degno ornamento della vostra santissima Patrona!

Saluto poi con grande cordialità i promotori della nobile iniziativa « Telethon ». Da alcuni anni, ormai, essi si preoccupano di compiere attraverso la televisione un'importante opera di sensibilizzazione in favore di quanti sono affetti da distrofia muscolare e da altre malattie genetiche. L'impegno e il sostegno finanziario per la ricerca scientifica, in vista della guarigione di mali tanto gravi che ancor oggi colpiscono migliaia di bambini e di adulti, costituiscono un messaggio incoraggiante per il nostro tempo. Esprimo con affetto la mia vicinanza alle persone ammalate; ed auspico che questa lunga « maratona della speranza » susciti nella pubblica opinione un rinnovato spirito di generosa fraternità.

Rivolgo inoltre uno speciale pensiero al folto gruppo di bambini e ragazzi affetti da thalassemia o anemia mediterranea. Grazie della vostra presenza, carissimi! Possano gli sforzi dei ricercatori e della vostra benemerita Associazione aiutare tutti i thalassemici e le loro famiglie. Esprimo apprezzamento anche per quanti, donando il proprio sangue, permettono di vivere a molti di questi malati.

Saluto la Delegazione del Comune di Forli esprimendo vivo apprezzamento per l'iniziativa di educazione alla pace organizzata in occasione del 50° anniversario della fine della II Guerra Mondiale; saluto il gruppo dell'Associazione « Famiglia » di Napoli e i cittadini di Bassiano, per i quali benedico la statua di Gesù Bambino destinata alla città di Salta, in Argentina.

Ed ora rivolgo il mio cordiale saluto ai giovani, agli ammalati ed agli sposi novelli.

Carissimi, in questo tempo di Avvento il Signore viene ad incontrare ciascuno nella sua quotidiana esperienza: incontra voi, cari giovani, e vi aiuta ad accoglierlo come Via, Verità e Vita; incontra voi, cari ammalati, e vi conforta con la sua consolante presenza; incontra voi, cari sposi novelli, e vi incoraggia a crescere nella fiduciosa apertura all'amore autentico e fecondo."

© Copyright 1997 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana