Bombay Archbishop's Christmas Message - 2006
Christmas Message from Oswald Gracias , Archbishop of Bombay
The newly installed Archbishop of Bombay, Archbishop Oswald Gracias in his message has wished the faithful a "grace-filled Christmas and the Peace, Joy and Love of Our Loving Saviour all through the coming year."
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus we reflect on the mystery that God took human nature in Jesus of Nazareth to reconcile the world to Himself. The Christmas message thus becomes very much a message about reconciliation and human relationships. The creeping divide because of casteism in our society is one of the biggest blots on our national life today. The widening gap between the rich and the poor, the communal divide, a spirit of intolerance, the reign of terror unleashed by militant groups every now and then in our own country, and often in our own city, are symptoms of forces at work that seek the disintegration of a nation wishing to live in peace, harmony and unity. These are challenges to the very core values of this nation and indeed of our Christian heritage. We urgently need a national programme to combat these divisive forces. This is surely an area where there could be much greater cooperation between the Church, civil society and the State.
But how can we ourselves make a real difference through the experience of the gift of Christmas? How can this precious gift we receive, Jesus the Christ, truly change human relationships?
-Christmas can make a difference if we begin to notice and really see those who should be close to us but whom we keep at a distance because of something that happened long ago.
-Christmas can make a difference if we begin to notice and really see those who are longing to be noticed and valued by us but whom we choose to ignore.
-Christmas can make a difference if we begin to notice and really see those whom everybody else takes for granted and ignores, and whom we ourselves sometimes passed by as too insignificant.
-Christmas can make a difference if we begin to notice and really see those who are hurting and freezing in the cold of the outside and whom we are challenged to welcome into the warmth of our own circle.
-Christmas can make a difference if we begin to notice and really see those of other cultures and other beliefs living in our midst and learn sincerely to appreciate them.
-Christmas can make a difference if we begin to notice and really see Jesus calling us to a deeper relationship of love and trust with Him and with each of our brothers and sisters, especially the least and the most neglected.
-Christmas can make a difference if we pause and look at our own lives and examine whether we have allowed God's gift to take hold of us and change us.
May the gift of the Infant Jesus at Christmas enable us to bring tidings of joy, peace and love to the world through this season and through the coming year.
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE - 2006
On the occasion of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, together with my Auxiliary Bishops, I wish the Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful of our Archdiocese a grace-filled Christmas and the Peace, Joy and Love of Our Loving Saviour all through the coming year. I wish to specially greet the aged, the sick and the lonely.As we celebrate the birth of Jesus we reflect on the mystery that God took human nature in Jesus of Nazareth to reconcile the world to Himself. The Christmas message thus becomes very much a message about reconciliation and human relationships. The creeping divide because of casteism in our society is one of the biggest blots on our national life today. The widening gap between the rich and the poor, the communal divide, a spirit of intolerance, the reign of terror unleashed by militant groups every now and then in our own country, and often in our own city, are symptoms of forces at work that seek the disintegration of a nation wishing to live in peace, harmony and unity. These are challenges to the very core values of this nation and indeed of our Christian heritage. We urgently need a national programme to combat these divisive forces. This is surely an area where there could be much greater cooperation between the Church, civil society and the State.
But how can we ourselves make a real difference through the experience of the gift of Christmas? How can this precious gift we receive, Jesus the Christ, truly change human relationships?
-Christmas can make a difference if we begin to notice and really see those who should be close to us but whom we keep at a distance because of something that happened long ago.
-Christmas can make a difference if we begin to notice and really see those who are longing to be noticed and valued by us but whom we choose to ignore.
-Christmas can make a difference if we begin to notice and really see those whom everybody else takes for granted and ignores, and whom we ourselves sometimes passed by as too insignificant.
-Christmas can make a difference if we begin to notice and really see those who are hurting and freezing in the cold of the outside and whom we are challenged to welcome into the warmth of our own circle.
-Christmas can make a difference if we begin to notice and really see those of other cultures and other beliefs living in our midst and learn sincerely to appreciate them.
-Christmas can make a difference if we begin to notice and really see Jesus calling us to a deeper relationship of love and trust with Him and with each of our brothers and sisters, especially the least and the most neglected.
-Christmas can make a difference if we pause and look at our own lives and examine whether we have allowed God's gift to take hold of us and change us.
May the gift of the Infant Jesus at Christmas enable us to bring tidings of joy, peace and love to the world through this season and through the coming year.
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