The Bishop Writes

(From the Dec. 20, 2001 edition of the Inland Register)

A few days ago the religion section of our local daily newspaper included a picture and a story of children from the Catholic Sancta Terra School in Bethlehem visiting the Church of the Nativity. The children’s faces appeared to be innocent enough, but the reality was that just a few blocks away and a short time ago, other buildings had been reduced to rubble. Especially in the last few months, the area has been the scene of tension and violence as we have observed with dismay the deterioration of peace efforts in the Holy Land.

The news these days is filled with the effects of global terrorism and the attempt to root it out. I think all of us realize that the world will never quite be the same after Sept. 11. Terrorism is just one form of violence. We would do well not only to examine our world scene about his matter, but look deeply into our own hearts as we celebrate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

The violence of certain attitudes within us leads to behaviors that are contradictory to the way of Jesus and the call of the Gospel. The stark contrast we observe in the birthplace of Jesus is also the stark contrast we often find in the human heart — in our hearts. The feast of Christmas reminds us, challenges us, and calls us to be faithful to all that the Infant in the manger embodies as the Son of God.

The Word made flesh was truly a defining moment in the salvation history of humankind. The events surrounding the birth have appropriately been told over and over again in song, Nativity scenes, and plays. A lot has happened in the human family these past two millennia hence. As we honestly face the reality of our world, there is tremendous potential to make the message of the Savior of humanity become so much more a lived reality.

The readings during the season of Advent have a wonderful ring of hope about them. The prophet Isaiah talks about “a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse.” “The wolf shall be the guest of the lamb,” and “the calf and the young lion shall browse together with a little child to guide them.” The “wolves” and the “lambs,” the “calves” and the “young lions” of our world aren’t getting along very well. The range of lack of relationship swings from one extreme to another: from killing one another, back to gross injustice within the human family. Yet, Isaiah tells us, “in the land of gloom, a light has shone.”

Christmas is a time of hope. Christmas is a time of appreciation and thanks to God. Christmas is a celebration that gives us the opportunity to instill in our hearts a sense of fidelity to a wonderful God who embraces all of humanity in love and saving presence.

This message of light and hope has perhaps never been more opportune than in this particular moment in history. Jesus coming into our hearts right now, 2001, calls for recognition and action. What is our answer? I suggest three responses.

First, we make God the center of our lives. God must occupy first place. The Body of Jesus in the sacrament of Eucharist calls us to receive and be faithful to one another in Church. Fidelity must go beyond words to the lived reality of being faithful to community. People are tempted to bail out of relationships when they perceive darkness, shadows or silence from God. Yet being faithful in exactly these times can be opportunities of witness and maturation. Yes, even in these experiences, we can find Jesus in the manger of a very human world.

Second, as St. Paul reminds us in his second letter to the Corinthians, we carry about in ourselves “the dying of Jesus, so that in our bodies the life of Jesus may also be revealed.” The Word made flesh in Jesus is also the Word that springs forth in our hearts and makes present the life of Jesus. That’s the powerful opportunity of making real the birth of Jesus, 2001-style.

Third, Jesus came to bring God’s love and salvation to all of humanity. Tribalism, ethnic hatred, religious prejudice, racism, sexism, caste systems, nationalism are all contradictory to the kingdom of God. The late Cardinal Hume had it very right a few years ago when he said that the world needs a revolution of relationships.

May this Christmas 2001 spark us to an even greater urgency in searching for this transformation in the human family. Such a change can really only happen when it is grounded in the reality of the saving presence of Jesus in our world. It is my hope and prayer that this new vision and new light can capture the imagination and lifestyle of all of us.

I extend to all of you and your families prayerful best wishes for a blessed and merry Christmas!

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