“…we risk not hearing [or seeing]…”

Merry Christmas! May God’s Light be born in you again this Christmas! May your family, friends, co-workers, and strangers know that God’s love and light are in you.

Last week I anticipated Christmas by writing about the Prince of Peace about whom Isaiah speaks and who we see born in the baby Jesus. As I continue to meditate upon the image of Jesus as a prince of peace, I searched for others who were thinking similarly. Last year, I found that Pope Francis spoke of “true peace,” in his blessing over the city of Rome and the whole world last Christmas. He noted as I did that we are vulnerable to losing focus on the needs of the world, especially for peace. He said, “These [conflicts and wars] never seem to end; by now we hardly even notice them…we risk not hearing the cry of pain and distress of so many of our brothers and sisters.” (Urbi et Orbi Message, December 25, 2021).

In the Pope’s message he spoke of on-going conflicts in Syria, between Israel and Palestine, and also in Lebanon. I have no doubt that this year he will speak about the need for peace between Ukraine and Russia. That war started in February of this year. Are we still paying attention and praying for peace in Ukraine? Or maybe, you have you been attracted by the “theater of war?” You watch the screens of smart phones and televisions for images of missiles flying, planes and helicopters being shot down, and bombs being dropped on targets like in a video game. Perhaps you get caught feeling and thinking: Fascinating! Incredible! But, it is really all HORRIFIC! People are dying. Are we aware of the lives of children growing up in a war zone, not going to school, hurrying to bomb shelters, seeing others die, even their parent? They search for edible food and do not trust hospitals because these places of refuge have become targets of war.

As Pope Francis said a year ago, and can repeat this year, “…we risk not hearing [or seeing]…” But, we must see with Christmas eyes and hear with Christmas ears, and feel with Christmas sentiment that the Christ desires peace. We must not fail to care because, “there is no bombing here.”

We care BECAUSE Christ was born on Christmas Day! We care because his life and light are in us! Our sisters and brothers live in Ukraine, Iran, China, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Somalia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Russia, etc. The Christ is born in the people of those places, too. For this reason we care! And, we pray and act for peace and justice, near and far. Christ, our Peace, lives! May we show the world this Christmas truth.

Merry Christmas and Peace, Fr. Andy