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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Rejoicing in the birth of Jesus

Rejoicing in the birth of Jesus

Published Dec 20, 2022 12:05 am

FINDING ANSWERS

Former Senator Atty. Joey D. Lina

It’s five days before Christmas, the most joyous time of the year when love and compassion for one another ought to be in abundance.

Despite the hardships all around, especially due to the unabated inflation of food prices, the message of Christmas is that of profound joy in the birth of our Redeemer who came down from heaven because of God’s love for mankind.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life," a passage (John 3:16) in the Holy Bible clearly proclaims. Indeed, in such joyful message of eternal life lies the most significant and remarkable news of all time.

Thus, the very first Christmas two millenniums ago “was not a condemnation of social injustice and poverty; it was an announcement of joy... religious joy, God’s joy, an inner joy of light and peace,” according to Pope Francis.

“Our joy is Christ, his faithful and inexhaustible love,” the pontiff says. “Therefore, when a Christian is sad, it means he has distanced himself from Jesus. But we must not leave that person alone; we must pray for him or her, and make them feel the warmth of the community.” Pope Francis explains that if a person doesn’t feel the profound joy of Christmas or is “in a human situation that does not allow to comprehend this joy, then one experiences this feast with a worldly joyfulness. But there is a difference between profound joy and worldly joyfulness.” “Christian joy, like hope, is founded on God's fidelity, on the certainty that He always keeps his promises,” the Holy Father says. “This true joy remains even amid trial, even amid suffering, for it is not a superficial joy because it permeates the depths of the person who entrusts himself to the Lord and confides in Him.” Christmas is an opportunity for the faithful to devote time, efforts and resources toward the unceasing work to bring about God’s Kingdom in this world, just as Christians aspire while praying in the words Jesus taught in the Lord’s Prayer.

The message of profound joy in the birth of our Messiah can be enthralling for those who firmly believe that salvation through Jesus is a reality. As Pope Francis points out, “forgiveness for sins committed is possible, that God is greater than our sinfulness, that he loves us at all times and that we were made for eternal life.” But how can we have eternal life? Jesus himself gave the answer: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39) On these two greatest commandments, therefore, lie the key to salvation. As I’ve been saying in previous columns, to truly love God and our neighbor is to truly serve.

Love without service means nothing. Loving and serving ought to go hand in hand. Otherwise, love would be meaningless. And the best way to serve is through the corporal works of mercy – Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, bury the dead.

And there are also the spiritual works of mercy – Admonish the sinner, instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, comfort the sorrowful, bear wrongs patiently, forgive all injuries, pray for the living and the dead.

Of course, it can be very difficult to live our lives in accordance with the two greatest commandments. We may continually strive to be devout Christians and love God and our neighbor as ourselves, yet, human as we are, we also continually fail in our efforts.

But Pope Francis encourages us to carry on. “However great our limitations and dismay, we are not allowed to be sluggish and vacillating when faced with difficulty and our own weakness,” he says. “On the contrary, we are invited to strengthen the weak hands, to make firm the feeble knees, to be strong and to fear not because God always shows us the greatness of His mercy... He is a God who loves us so very much.” Knowing that God loves us very much, and that Jesus has come to save us and be with us in all our difficulties, ought to give us much-needed hope. And with so much hope, we can experience the greatest joy of the Yuletide season. Merry Christmas everyone!

Email: [email protected]

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Finding Answers FORMER SENATOR ATTY JOEY LINA Rejoicing in the birth of Jesus
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