From the desk of the Parish Priest

2008 – Year of the Family
From the Desk of the Parish Priest……..
Dear Friends, May God grant us His Peace and Joy.

We have just begun with eagerness and enthusiasm the Advent Season in Preparation for the meaningful celebration of the historical birth of Jesus Christ, on 25th of this month : The mystery of God coming down to seek and dwell with men so that He could raise man to the level of God. “The word of God became flesh and dwelt amongst us”. This simple but singular and striking message of John the Evangelist sums up the eternal mystery of God’s unconditional love and inexplicable action of God in human history. In the first place the celebration of Christmas invites us for a personal experience of Jesus’ birth in our life.

This mystery of incarnation unravels the depth of God’s unconditional love expressed in creating us humans in His own Image and Likeness, and even after man’s turning away from God’s love, God remains faithful to His promise and fulfillment of His saving plan to re-instate human beings in relationship with one another and God. Therefore the feast of the Nativity of Jesus is the celebration of LOVE, LIFE and LIGHT. This incarnation is the mystery of love resulting in intimate relationship : which involves three essential movements of God :

1. Incarnation is : Intervention of God in human history and highlights God’s constant concern, care and commitment.
2. Incarnation invites for an involvement with human condition.
3. Incarnation leads to identification with our humanity, resulting in intimacy, which is the highest degree in relationship.

The four important insights that emerge at the celebration of Christmas - ‘ the birth of God made man‘ are relationship, sharing, mutual commitment leading to our communion with God. “…..some however, did receive Him and believe in Him; so he gave them the right to become God’s children (Jn 1:12).

The above insights are beautifully summed up in the message of St. Leo, the Pope :- ‘ Our Saviour is born this day ; let us rejoice; there is no room for sadness on that day, life is born, a life which destroys the fear of death and which gives joy to the eternal truths. No one is excluded from this happiness; the cause of joy is common to all, because, our Lord conqueror over sin and death, having found no one free from fault, came to free all men. The saints exults because pardon is near, the non believer takes courage again because he is called again to life’.

A cursory glance at the modern trend of Christmas celebrations make clear that unlike in the past, the focus is no more on the person of Jesus whose historical birth and its religious relevance is commemorated : on the contrary, we witness a wider and longer, publicity of “the Christmas event”, where the centre of celebration is taken over by tastefully decorated Christmas trees / mangers, Christmas papa (Santa Claus) ; Christmas songs with upto date Christmas melodies (not so much traditional Christmas carols); Choice wines and sweetmeats etc. Thus the religious and spiritual significance are marred by the exaggerated “commercial and consumeristic publicity and exploitations“.

In such a context, we need to ask ourselves a couple of pertinent questions, that may enable us to celebrate the historical birth of Jesus to have a personal experience of Jesus’ birth in us spiritually, so as to become the very same “Good News” to the people and the world of our time.

Does our preparation and participation in the celebration of Jesus’ birth generate a renewal in our personal attitude, actions and outlook in relation to others, ourselves and God ?

Does our exchange of greetings, and gifts really inculcate in us the spirit of ‘self-giving’, caring and sharing’, and finally culminate in our total surrender to discern and do the will of God as revealed in the birth of Jesus, and witnessed in the life of Jesus from the cradle in the manger in Bethlehem to the cross at Calvary leading to His “Resurrection” ?

Finally, do we experience the celestial joy of contentment, peace and tranquility as experienced by Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds at the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem ? Have our lives become a song of Hope and consolation for those who are dissipated, depressed and desperate in their lives.

I am sure, a sincere introspection and efforts for a positive answer to the above questions will make our Christmas experience a family celebration of Joy and Peace, with our uplifted hearts in gratitude to God who has come down to be with us – “Emmanuel”.

Wish you one and all a very Happy and Blessed Christmas. May the babe of Bethlehem bless one and all with His Peace and Joy : Let me also wish you in advance a Joyous and grace filled New Year 2009 !

 
Fr. Thomas Quadros, o.f.m Cap.
Parish Priest