Merry Merged Message

The Word of the Father speaks to all a word of Mercy, a Word that seeks to welcome, to lift up, to heal, to restore, to repair, to give hope and ultimately to give life. All throughout the Gospels, we hear these stories over and over of how Jesus, as the Word of the Father, made a difference in the lives of those He met – because He lived a different way. He revealed to us the Father’s tenderness, His caress, His affection for all – not in condemnation, but in an invitation to live through   following Jesus, His Son. He abides with us today fulfilling His mission to be a voice of reason, of hope, of mercy to a waiting world. So, Christmas celebrates family, celebrates life born of a babe in Bethlehem, and celebrates hope for you and me. Christianity is an event that recognizes God’s love for us in a person and invites each, in freedom, to follow. Indeed, we come to adore Him even today because Jesus is truly the “Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing."

- Christmas Message of my Bishop

So when we hear tell of the birth of Christ, let us be silent and let the Child speak. Let us take his words to heart in rapt contemplation of his face. If we take him in our arms and let ourselves be embraced by him, he will bring us unending peace of heart. This Child teaches us what is truly essential in our lives. He was born into the poverty of this world; there was no room in the inn for him and his family. He found shelter and support in a stable and was laid in a manger for animals. And yet, from this nothingness, the light of God’s glory shines forth. From now on, the way of authentic liberation and perennial redemption is open to every man and woman who is simple of heart. This Child, whose face radiates the goodness, mercy and love of God the Father, trains us, his disciples, as Saint Paul says, “to reject godless ways” and the richness of the world, in order to live “temperately, justly and devoutly” (Tit 2:12).

In a society so often intoxicated by consumerism and hedonism, wealth and extravagance, appearances and narcissism, this Child calls us to act soberly, in other words, in a way that is simple, balanced, consistent, capable of seeing and doing what is essential. In a world which all too often is merciless to the sinner and lenient to the sin, we need to cultivate a strong sense of justice, to discern and to do God’s will. Amid a culture of indifference which not infrequently turns ruthless, our style of life should instead be devout, filled with empathy, compassion and mercy, drawn daily from the wellspring of prayer.

Like the shepherds of Bethlehem, may we too, with eyes full of amazement and wonder, gaze upon the Child Jesus, the Son of God. And in his presence may our hearts burst forth in prayer: “Show us, Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation” (Ps 85:8).

-Christmas Homily of the Bishop of Rome

So both apostolic teachers instruct us to live soberly a life of reason, a way that is simple, merciful, and discerns what is essential. We must invite others to look upon the Child and see what the world cannot offer them.