The Bishop Writes

(From the Dec. 16, 1999 edition of the Inland Register)

Christmas Day this year is very special. As we come to the close of the second millennium, we celebrate this anniversary of Jesus’ birth with profound gratitude. Humankind now has experienced two thousand years of the Incarnation of God. The Son of God became flesh, a poor Son of poor parents, Mary and Joseph. At last, the hope of a people for centuries of a Savior was fulfilled. The circumstances of the birth of such a great moment were humble and unpretentious. The Child during these two millennia has captivated much of humanity in celebration and remembrance, at least for a few days surrounding the anniversary of birth.

Will this coming year be any different than the previous 1,999? We observe just the last 100 years and see the terrible misery inflicted upon humanity through world wars, genocide, ethnic cleansing, and starvation. Our past history in the world community has been a far cry from the vision of Isaiah that the wolf would be the guest of the lamb and the cow and the bear shall be neighbors (Isaiah 11). At this point of entering into the third millennium, we readily observe the pain and hurt in the human family.

We need to look to ourselves as Christians and humbly acknowledge that indeed there have been failures in history. Also we have failed the Gospel and our calling to be a faithful followers of Jesus. We have been blinded at times by insensitivity, rugged individualism, and lack of conversion of heart. The third millennium provides a new opportunity.

We truly are at a crossroads in human history. We must take the Christmas celebration profoundly to heart and make it come alive for the rest of the year. A new spirit in the third millenium can be achieved by our living the Presence of Jesus in our hearts radically and courageously.

In the commercial world, the Christmas decorations and shopping displays seem to be in place earlier and earlier. The day after Christmas, they are all pulled down. For us in the Church, we celebrate the Christmas season and leave our decorations and crib scenes up until the feast of the Epiphany. Just as importantly, this time of celebration can affirm in the heart a rejoicing and openness to the coming of Jesus in our lives and in our world for the entire year.

Yes, the people of the world are in a lot of misery, but for us as Christians, can not the vision of Isaiah still captivate our dreams and vision of what can be? The message of Jesus’ birth continues to enthuse us for a few days at least. Can we not encourage ourselves and all of humanity to live the spirit of the Gospel and the life to which Jesus calls all throughout the year? What a dramatically changed world we would have!

As a Catholic community, we have to be excited about the vision of what can be. It means something to us. It gives life. It gives hope. It gives relationship to all of humanity who are God’s people, made in His image and likeness. The vision of the kingdom of Jesus here on earth has yet to be fulfilled. Perhaps in these extraordinary times of opportunity and rapidly expanding capacity for communication and relating, this moment can be the start of a new world community that would reflect the vision of Isaiah.

We have every reason to rejoice and be hope filled. “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; the royal ornament is laid upon his shoulder, and his name is proclaimed: ‘Wonder counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting God, Prince of peace (Isaiah 9).’”

My prayer for all of you is for a blessed and joyful Christmas and Christmas way of life. May we pray together that Jesus may be seen more readily in us as Savior and Redeemer of humankind. The dream of Isaiah encourages us. Just maybe in this coming millennium the vision of the kingdom of Jesus will become more of a reality than ever before.

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