English
EspañolWithin every family beats the unconditional and tender love of God´s heart. Do not kill it. Live it.
Text
“In the daily life of the family … we are constantly reminded that each of those who live with us merits complete attention, since he or she possesses infinite dignity as an object of the Father’s immense love. This gives rise to a tenderness which can “stir in the other the joy of being loved. Tenderness is expressed in a particular way by exercising loving care in treating the limitations of the other, especially when they are evident”. (The Joy of Love, n.323)
Commentary
God loves each member of our family with immense love. He has called each one to this life and calls each one to eternal life. God infuses his love into the hearts of spouses, fathers and mothers, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. This is the source of the miracle of tenderness and unconditional and deep intimacy of family love, the reason for its highest dignity. Do I treat my relatives in coherence with their dignity? Especially when their care demands I put in more work?
Claudia talks to Susana, and Susana tells her about her grandchildren. She takes care of them three times a week. Claudia asks her: “How do you have so much patience? Susana answers: “I just look them in the eyes and mentally tell them: I am happy because you needed someone to take care of you, and I was able to do it. The same thing happened to me when my mother got sick. It was not easy to come and go from the hospital and later stay at home to take care of her. What gave me strength and courage was precisely looking in my mother´s eyes and telling her what I now tell my grandchildren: “you need me, and I am so glad to be able to help you.” You will see Claudia that far from ending up exhausted – although you do get tired – you experiment a great satisfaction.”
